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The Ministry of Transport of Cuba (MITRANS) announced this Sunday the suspension of train departures, national buses, boats, and air flights due to the approach of the powerful hurricane Melissa towards eastern Cuba, in order to "ensure the safety of passengers and means of transportation."
The measure was adopted in conjunction with the Provincial Defense Councils, following the declaration of the Cyclone Alert Phase for the provinces of Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, Granma, Holguín, and Las Tunas, the state agency noted in a information note shared on social media by the Minister of Transport, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila.
The arrangement for the national and local passenger trains includes the cancellation of the departure this Sunday of train No. 13 Havana-Guantánamo and on Monday, October 27, of train No. 11, which connects Havana with Santiago de Cuba.
On Tuesday, October 28, train No. 14 from Guantánamo to Havana will not be operating - canceled because its counterpart, No. 13, coming from the capital, will not run; while the following day, October 29, train No. 12 from Santiago de Cuba to Havana will also not be in service, as its counterpart, No. 11, will not be making its usual trip from the capital.
All departures of local and interprovincial train services from Las Tunas to Guantánamo have also been suspended.
"The restoration of these services will take place when the Recovering Phase is declared in the affected provinces and the conditions of the railways are verified for the safety of train operations, a matter that will be communicated to the public in a timely manner," the statement warned.
All services of the national scheduling of Ómnibus Nacionales - including VIAZUL - to and from the five eastern provinces: Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, Granma, Holguín, and Las Tunas, are canceled starting at 1:00 PM on October 27.
This measure will remain in effect until the Recovery Phase is declared in the affected provinces and conditions allow for the safe operation of buses, subject to prior coordination and approval from the provincial Defense Councils, she emphasized.
MITRANS also reported that all services of the national schedule—both outbound and return trips—in the provinces from Camagüey to Pinar del Río are continuing to operate as scheduled.
Passengers with reservations who do not wish to travel will be refunded 100% of the value of their ticket, up to 15 days after the suspension of services. Meanwhile, those who decide to travel must contact the commercial offices of the company Viajero to reschedule their trips according to availability once services are restored, the authorities specified.
Regarding civil aviation, flights are canceled to and from Santiago de Cuba and Holguín on Tuesday, the 28th, and Wednesday, the 29th. Passengers with tickets for these flights should contact the respective airlines for information.
According to the Ministry of Transport, "protective measures for the facilities and equipment have been implemented at all airports in the eastern region, and working groups are in operation to ensure that once the Recovery Phase is established, they will be fully operational."
The maritime transportation of passengers is also impacted by regulations due to the impending passage of the hurricane through the eastern region of Cuba. Authorities have indicated that traffic between the ports of Batabanó, Nueva Gerona, and Cayo Largo del Sur remains suspended until hydrometeorological conditions allow for safe maritime navigation between these ports.
Those who have purchased tickets should contact the commercial offices of the company Viajero to reschedule their trips when navigation is restored.
MITRANS stated that in the port facilities of the eastern region, "measures were taken to mitigate the effects of this weather event, preserving goods in warehouses and accelerating the unloading of ships in ports," and also that "the vessels were moved to the designated shelters."
According to the official communication, the officials of that ministry are in contact with the National Staff of Civil Defense and the Defense Councils of the provinces in Cyclonic Alert Phase, to "coordinate the necessary actions for each of the phases that are implemented."
The hurricane Melissa, classified as a category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, threatens Jamaica and the southeast of Cuba with winds of 230 km/h and higher gusts. The tropical system continues to move westward at nearly 5 mph (7 km/h).
Intense storm rains are forecasted from Monday to Wednesday, which could lead to flash flooding that threatens lives and numerous landslides. Furthermore, it is estimated that the storm surge could reach a height of 6 to 9 feet above normal tide levels, and would be accompanied by large and destructive waves.
Around 650,000 people will be evacuated in Eastern Cuba due to the approach of the powerful hurricane.
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