The buildup of solid waste in the riverbanks and channels across Holguín City has exacerbated urban flooding, as reported by the provincial broadcaster Radio Angulo on Friday.
In densely populated areas, rivers such as Marañón, Jigüe, Miradero, and Milagrito are clogged with discarded plastic bottles, sacks of debris, and various trash irresponsibly dumped by local residents.
With the onset of rain, these wastes are carried along the streams, eventually blocking bridges, sewers, and drainage systems, increasing the likelihood of severe overflow.
"Every plastic bottle, debris sack, or piece of junk thrown into a stream doesn't vanish magically; it travels with the current until it meets a bridge, a sewer, or a drainage outlet. There, it forms dams of negligence," the report stated.
The article emphasized that solutions cannot rely solely on government investments in community services or water resources. It called for civic responsibility, community vigilance, and organized efforts to clean up river environments.
"Rain is inevitable; the complicity of trash is not," concluded Radio Angulo.
On June 13, the river on Mendieta Street overflowed, leaving muddy waters between 30 and 50 centimeters high in urban areas, carrying plastic waste and sediment along.
Prior to this, the Marañón River experienced a surge described as alarming by local outlet La Antena.
Additionally, Holguín's firefighters rescued a 73-year-old man trapped by the Marañón River's rising waters, suffering a potential hip fracture, highlighting the immediate human risks these floods pose.
The flooding incidents following this month's heavy rains add to a recurring pattern of emergencies each rainy season, worsened by outdated drainage infrastructure and neglected waterways.
Beyond property damage, these makeshift river dumps pose direct health threats such as leptospirosis, hepatitis A, dengue, and oropouche due to the increase in mosquitoes and rodents, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable communities.
The garbage issue in Holguín has deep-rooted structural causes. A viral video weeks ago revealed an out-of-control refuse site in the Zayas neighborhood, with trash piled on both sides of a deteriorated street, a situation unresolved for at least six years.
In April, residents reported that dump sites burn at night in Holguín, emitting toxic smoke across various neighborhoods. Additionally, Los Caballitos children's park has been turned into a dumping ground.
The waste management crisis is a nationwide problem; by the end of 2025, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero himself acknowledged the institutional failure in garbage collection.
Understanding the Impact of Trash on Holguín's Flooding
What are the main causes of flooding in Holguín?
The primary causes of flooding in Holguín are the accumulation of trash in river channels and banks, outdated drainage infrastructure, and lack of maintenance of waterways.
How does garbage contribute to health risks in Holguín?
Garbage accumulation fosters the breeding of mosquitoes and rodents, increasing the risk of diseases like leptospirosis, hepatitis A, dengue, and oropouche, especially impacting vulnerable communities.
What measures are suggested to mitigate the flooding problem?
Suggested measures include enhancing civic responsibility, community vigilance, and organizing cleanup efforts, alongside government investments in improving drainage and water resource management.