Dozens of house collapses following heavy rains in Santiago de Cuba

Dozens of landslides have occurred in Santiago de Cuba following the heavy rains that have hit eastern Cuba this weekend.

“Dozens of partial collapses of structures have been reported in various areas of Santiago de Cuba and in communities across the 9 municipalities. This is a stressful situation and a heavy blow for the residents of this land with a deteriorated housing stock,” reported on Facebook the official journalist Cuscó Tarradell.

The reporter also stated that there have been "landslides in vulnerable areas, affecting several homes and causing great concern among the population."

Tarradel shared images of a "landslide that entered, approximately at 1 a.m. this Sunday, inside a house located on Pasaje H, between A and B #11, in the Municipal neighborhood known as Hoyo de Chicharrones."

The images were sent to her by Luis Bárbaro Frómeta Reyes, 57 years old, a worker at the Generator Groups in the Antonio Maceo "Rente" Thermoelectric Plant.

Frómeta Reyes "who is in an alarming situation. Together with her niece, she has had to leave their home and take refuge in the upper house, due to the danger posed by the nearby hill, which threatens new landslides," she said.

The journalist also stated that there have been landslides "in the community of Perucho Figueredo, on the road to the neighborhood of the Sabino Pupo cooperative, in Dos Caminos de San Luis."

"The risk of new landslides persists due to soil saturation. (..) Authorities urge the public to avoid traversing unstable slopes, riverbanks, and areas prone to collapses, and to stay informed," added.

The independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada shared the image of the recent collapse of a house.

Mayeta also reported landslides on a hill early this Sunday, which has put residents of Princesa Street, between Virgen and Callejón Santiago, in the Guillermón Moncada popular council on alert.

" witnesses claim that the ground continues to give way and that there is a high danger to the lives of residents, as several houses are located just meters away from the affected area," said Mayeta.

The neighbors report that so far no authority has shown up at the location.

Flooding in Santiago de Cuba

The heavy rains associated with a tropical depression caused severe flooding in Santiago de Cuba and other eastern provinces on Saturday night and early Sunday morning, with streets and homes submerged and communities cut off.

The phenomenon once again revealed the vulnerability of urban infrastructure and the fragility of the emergency solutions implemented in the region.

Flooded homes and families at risk

Since early hours, users on social media began to share images and testimonies of the impact of the rainfall.

The pro-government journalist Cuscó Tarradell shared photos on Facebook of a flooded house on Camino de Santa Elena, in the 30 de Noviembre neighborhood.

A neighbor reported that "the entire house is flooded" and that even her dog was terrified by the extent of the downpour.

Independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada confirmed that the flooding reached homes on 3rd and 4th streets of Trocha and on Celda Street in the Flores neighborhood, where residents reported the loss of belongings and significant damage.

According to him, the emergency is not only due to the intensity of the rains but also to the "lack of drainage and the poor condition of the sewage systems," a chronic deficiency in the city.

Five people were rescued after the overflow of the Sígua River, in the homonymous town of Santiago de Cuba.

The victims were trapped in the facilities of the Baconao Fantasy Park and were first assisted by lifeguards from the Red Cross and later by other rescue teams.

Frequently Asked Questions about Landslides and Flooding in Santiago de Cuba