Flooding in Río Cauto causes significant damage to the Los Caneyes recreational center

The flooding caused by Hurricane Melissa inflicted severe damage to the Los Caneyes recreational center, one of the main dining and recreational facilities in the municipality of Río Cauto, in the province of Granma.

Images shared on social media by the local station Radio Bayamo show the premises completely flooded and covered in mud following the overflow of the Cauto River, the longest river in Cuba.

The property suffered structural damage, loss of furniture, food, and electrical equipment, as confirmed by workers from the unit.

The municipality remains in a state of alert following the unprecedented flooding caused by the heavy rains from Hurricane Melissa, which left thousands of families homeless, without drinking water, and with total losses in their belongings and crops.

According to the Municipal Defense Council (CDM), more than 7,700 people remain evacuated in shelters, while others are taking refuge in relatives' homes. Although water levels have started to recede in several areas, flooding and drainage issues persist, preventing residents from safely returning.

The president of the Municipal Defense Council, Sadia Pérez Nápoles, and the first secretary of the PCC in Granma, Yudelkis Ortiz Barceló, led an emergency meeting to establish immediate recovery measures and address the concerns of the affected population.

Authorities acknowledged that most water supply systems remain out of service, which has necessitated the installation of distribution points with tanker trucks coming from Las Tunas and the creation of temporary reservoirs in the most isolated communities.

It was also agreed to ensure the delivery of powdered milk and cereals to prioritized groups —children, pregnant women, and the elderly— and the controlled distribution of chicken for those under 13 and over 65. However, residents reported on social media that supplies arrive late and in insufficient quantities.

The CDM ordered a detailed assessment of the damages to homes, crops, and basic services. Among the critical points are several and the Photovoltaic Solar Park in the area, which will be inspected by a national committee of specialists.

Although the Cauto River has returned to its normal level after the rains, the humanitarian situation remains serious. The residents are demanding concrete solutions to restore their homes, their livelihoods, and local infrastructures, while the authorities insist on the “priority of health, supply, and transparency.”