A flood of sewage water caused severe material damage and significant distress among the residents of the Vista Hermosa neighborhood in Santiago de Cuba, following the explosion of a manhole after 5:00 PM on Thursday during heavy rainfall.
On Facebook Aris Arias Batalla, delegate of Circumscription 97 of Vista Hermosa, reported that the incident occurred at the intersection of 5th and 6th, when suddenly a noise similar to an earthquake was heard and, almost immediately, black water began to surge, flooding several homes.
Residents reported that it all happened in a matter of seconds, leaving no time to protect their belongings.
Some neighbors were able to partially evacuate appliances and personal belongings, but many pieces of furniture, clothing, and household items remained submerged under the sewage water.
The damage included cracked floors, lifted tiles, broken pavements, damaged sidewalks, and fractured streets, as well as significant economic losses.
According to the testimonies collected at the site, the apparent cause was a significant obstruction in the main driver of the sewer system, which led to a buildup of pressure and its subsequent collapse.
The neighbors also raised concerns about health issues due to direct contact with contaminated water.
In light of the approaching cold front accompanied by a trough, which could bring heavy rainfall, residents urged authorities to take urgent measures to prevent a similar event from happening again.
"Unprecedented," described some affected individuals, who fear new floods if the hydraulic system is not addressed.
The images shared by the delegate himself highlight the magnitude of the disaster and once again draw attention to the serious deterioration of the healthcare infrastructure in neighborhoods of Santiago de Cuba.
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