Heavy rainfall has relentlessly battered the Guantanamo city of Baracoa since the early hours of Tuesday, exacerbating severe flooding in a region still reeling from the aftermath of Hurricane Oscar, which struck on October 20th. Reports from Miguel Noticias highlight the continuous downpour in Baracoa, leading to significant flooding. Additionally, Cuban resident Liander Reyes shared on Facebook that the intense rains have impacted San Luis, Jamal, and Baracoa, causing major inundations in an area where the ground is already saturated.
Local official Juana Eglis Fernández Louit noted that the rain has triggered landslides along the La Farola viaduct, which was heavily damaged by Oscar. The situation in the city is alarming, and conditions are worsening as the rain shows no signs of abating, compounding the disaster already unfolding in the region.
Struggles of Baracoa's Residents
As of Monday, the rain resumed while Baracoa residents continue to grapple with power outages, a shortage of cooking fuel, and a lack of potable water, issues they have faced for several days. Guantánamo, one of Cuba's most impoverished provinces, has seen hundreds of rural families lose everything.
Authorities Urge Safety Amid Crisis
Local authorities urged residents on Friday to remain in safe locations and to adhere to emergency instructions in anticipation of further heavy rainfall. The flooding that occurred last Friday left many Cubans in Guantánamo homeless, devastating sectors already hit hard by the hurricane and an ongoing energy crisis marked by widespread blackouts.