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Hurricane Melissa left several provinces in eastern Cuba cut off, as mobile and landline networks collapsed due to a lack of electricity and damage to the infrastructure.
The Telecommunications Company of Cuba (ETECSA) reported this Wednesday that, following the passage of Hurricane Melissa through the eastern part of the country, there are severe interruptions in the national network, with Guantánamo, several municipalities in Santiago de Cuba and Granma, as well as areas in Holguín, experiencing communication outages.
According to the official statement published on their website, a significant portion of the mobile and fixed services affected relies on radio bases and cabinets that remain powered off due to a lack of electricity and connectivity issues.
ETECSA specified that, due to Melissa still impacting the eastern region, the diagnosis of the communications system remains complex and the level of disruption could vary in the coming hours.
The state-owned company assured that it will continue to provide updates on the evolution of the situation through its official channels and national media, although so far no recovery timeline or immediate actions have been announced to restore service.
The impact of Hurricane Melissa has been devastating for eastern Cuba. Several provinces woke up completely disconnected from the electrical system, including Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo, Granma, and Holguín.
This massive interruption is due to the collapse of lines, poles, and transformers, worsened by the failure of the telecommunications system, which has further complicated coordination and relief efforts in the affected areas.
From Santiago de Cuba, Governor Beatriz Johnson acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, describing it as "very difficult." Response brigades have been unable to reach all the affected areas due to flooding, landslides, and road blockages caused by fallen trees.
Local authorities confirmed that a complete assessment of the damage has not yet been possible due to the persistence of hazardous conditions on the ground.
Meanwhile, the Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel acknowledged the extent of the damage caused by Hurricane Melissa, stating that the country is facing significant material losses.
During a meeting of the National Defense Council, the leader urged not to underestimate the situation and to prioritize the restoration of basic services, especially electricity and communications, in the provinces hardest hit in the east.
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