Several roads remain impassable in eastern Cuba following the passage of Hurricane Melissa

The hurricane Melissa left a critical situation on the road network in eastern Cuba, where numerous stretches remain damaged or under traffic restrictions, as confirmed by the authorities of the Ministry of Transport and the provincial road safety commissions.

The minister Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila informed on Facebook that, although some routes have been partially restored, severe disruptions continue in Granma, Las Tunas, Holguín, and Guantánamo, which limits mobility and access to isolated rural communities.

In Las Tunas, the road to Puerto Padre is still undergoing repairs, with the Plan Lechero bridge still partially submerged. Similar situations are reported on the Tunas–Ojo de Agua and Holguín–Moa segments, while the Moa–Baracoa route is only open for specialized transport.

In Granma, one of the provinces most affected by Melissa, the road network is experiencing a partial collapse. The sections Bayamo–Cauto Embarcadero, Cauto Embarcadero–Río Cauto, and Cauto Embarcadero–border with Las Tunas only allow the passage of specialized vehicles. The roads Manzanillo–Cauto Embarcadero, Manzanillo–Niquero, and the intersection at Pilón are undergoing rehabilitation, while the Granma road remains partially impassable.

In Santiago de Cuba, although the main routes Guantánamo–Santiago and Santiago–Bayamo remain open, others such as Santiago–Holguín (via Palma Barajagua) and the access to El Cobre and Palma Soriano are still undergoing repair work. On the Granma highway, from Santiago to kilometer 92, a subsidence has been reported at kilometer 57, while several communities—Uvero, Ocujal, Palma Mocha, La Plata, La Magdalena, El Macho, and El Macío—remain cut off.

For its part, the Provincial Road Safety Commission of Granma reported that the bridge over the Salado River, at kilometer 34 of the Las Tunas–Bayamo road, was damaged by the flooding. As a result, traffic on this stretch has been prohibited, and drivers are required to use the Central Highway as an alternative route until necessary repairs are completed.

Authorities urge the population to avoid unnecessary travel and to stay informed through official channels, while road and civil defense teams work on the rehabilitation of routes and bridges affected by Hurricane Melissa.