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The Los Reynaldos community, in Songo la Maya, Santiago de Cuba, remains isolated following the collapse of a bridge.
According to Transport Minister Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila's announcement on Facebook, "the damage to the bridge that provides access to the community of Los Reynaldos, in the municipality of Songo la Maya in Santiago de Cuba, has left this population cut off, except for access via rail."
"The firefighters and workers from the municipal transport base help deliver water and ensure the vitality of this community," he added.
This Sunday, activist Lara Crofts stated that the village of Brazo Escondido, located in the hills of the Tercer Frente, is also cut off due to the rise of the rivers.
"The situation is CRITICAL: Total isolation: The roads are cut off, and there is no access. No possibility of air rescue: There is no flat terrain for helicopters to land. Humanitarian risk: Families are in danger, likely without food or medicine, and we are concerned for the condition of their homes," said the activist.
Crofts said that they have been "asking for help for days and no one has been able to reach this forgotten area."
Los Reynaldos and Brazo Escondido join the communities of El Uvero, La Plata, Ocujal, and Palmamocha, in the Santiago municipality of Guamá, which remain cut off after the passage of Hurricane Melissa, which destroyed roads and caused the El Uvero bridge to collapse.
According to the president of the Provincial Defense Council of Santiago de Cuba, Beatriz Johnson Urrutia, coordinators from the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) and the provincial government remain in the most affected communities, while radio operators assist with communication and actions are organized to restore access.
Boca de Dos Ríos emerged as one of the hardest-hit areas, experiencing total collapses due to sea incursions. Severe damage has also been reported in Cañizo and Caletón, it was stated.
According to the official report, almost all at-risk individuals have been evacuated without any loss of life. Electricity and communications are severely affected, and crews are working on tree trimming and clearing roads. There is partial access from Chivirico to Santiago.
The authorities also indicated that pregnant women, the elderly, and nephrotic patients were protected before the event.
In this regard, they noted that 15 hemodialysis patients were transferred to hospitals with electrical backup, and 33 elderly individuals were evacuated to the Giraldo Aponte polyclinic.
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