Drought Drastically Lowers Cauto River's Flow, Forcing Communities to Rely on Muddy, Salty Water

In eastern Cuba, the Cauto River, a critical water source, is experiencing a severe reduction in flow due to drought, compelling families in Cauto Cristo, located in Granma province, to drink salty and muddy water directly drawn from the riverbed.

This scenario is particularly striking given that just nine months ago, the same river overflowed historically after Hurricane Melissa swept through eastern Cuba on October 29, 2025, as a Category Three storm, necessitating the evacuation of over 8,000 residents in the province.

"In Cauto Cristo, at least, the water delivered through the pipes is quite saline and contains remnants of the mud from where it is extracted," Radio Bayamo reported on Saturday.

The same official source acknowledged that "it would be difficult to expect high-quality water under these circumstances," while also noting that health studies have not detected any viruses or bacteria in laboratory tests.

The organoleptic quality of the water—its color, smell, and taste—remains a daily challenge for thousands of families relying on the Cauto for survival.

Stretching 343 kilometers, the Cauto is Cuba's longest river. Its basin covers over 8% of the national territory and spans the provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Holguín, and Las Tunas, home to around one million people.

The evaporation rate in the Cauto valley is among the highest in the country, making it one of the most vulnerable river systems to prolonged droughts.

According to sources, "the drought affecting the Cauto River is not just a climatic issue; it represents a social challenge that complicates access to quality water in these communities."

This event is part of a nationwide water crisis of historic proportions. By March, drought conditions affected 62% of Cuba's land, with water reserves at only 38% of capacity, the lowest level since 2015.

In May, approximately 2.7 million Cubans lacked regular access to potable water, with several million more receiving it intermittently.

The situation is compounded by the El Niño phenomenon, which is expected to bring additional water stress to the island. Luis Lecha Estela, a researcher at the Institute of Meteorology, warned that the phenomenon "could lead to meteorological drought and water stress in the country, with summers hotter than usual."

In the neighboring province of Camagüey, 100% of the territory recorded rainfall deficits in July, with 99.8% classified as severe-extreme, highlighting the regional scale of the problem.

As authorities fail to provide concrete solutions, Radio Bayamo noted that "the people, in their resilience, find practical but short-lived means to bring water to their homes," a statement that encapsulates the grim reality faced by thousands of Cuban families amidst yet another worsening crisis.