Eastern Cuba Reels Under Impact of Torrential Rains

The eastern region of Cuba remains under the impact of intense rainfall, which began on Friday due to a tropical depression that strengthened into Tropical Storm Imelda this Sunday.

According to the Institute of Meteorology (Insmet), the system continues to produce strong bands of showers, rain, and electrical storms, particularly in the provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, and Guantánamo.

Significant Rainfall Accumulations

In several localities, rainfall accumulations have exceeded 100 millimeters, with extreme records reaching 500 mm in Hatibonico, in the Guantánamo Valley.

The newspaper Granma reported that in Guantánamo, approximately 18,000 people have been evacuated due to collapsed homes, swollen rivers, flooding—especially in the area of Caimanera—fallen trees, and disruptions to the electrical service. Authorities are insisting that the public remain informed and stay in safe zones.

Damage Assessment and Localized Impacts

Senior officials from the Provincial Party and Government toured the most affected municipalities this Sunday—Imías, San Antonio del Sur, Niceto Pérez (Ullao), Guantánamo (Cecilia and the city), El Salvador, and Manuel Tames—to evaluate the damage.

In Imías, the rising river swept away a temporary crossing that connected the community of Jesús Lores with the municipal capital. Despite the risk, some residents continue to use the old, collapsed bridge.

In Manuel Tames, the river has made the bridge at La Cubana impassable, while in Hatibonico, flooding, river overflows, and landslides persist.

Santiago de Cuba Also Affected

The rains have also been intense in Santiago de Cuba: accumulations of up to 340 millimeters (mm) were recorded in the last 24 hours in La Campana, 330 mm in Tele-correo Aserrado, and 250 mm in the capital city.

The Insmet has warned that the precipitation will continue in the eastern part of the country, with the possibility of further flooding and landslides, and could extend into the central region.