A mere hour of intense rainfall on Wednesday transformed numerous streets in Central Havana into veritable rivers, with water reaching knee-high levels for residents and a tractor being used to ferry individuals across the flooded areas.
Footage shared on social media reveals streets completely submerged, with locals struggling to wade through murky waters and vehicles nearly engulfed by the deluge.
"It rained just an hour, and everything is overflowing," recounted a resident who documented the scene in the Santa Ana area, sharing a video that lasted over seven minutes on DISA.
The visuals also depict an orange tractor navigating one of the flooded streets, carrying several people on board.
"These are flooded rivers," remarked the man while traversing the area.
The resident attributed the swift flooding to the poor condition of the drainage systems.
"When it rains heavily here in Havana, everything gets flooded. Since all the drains and such are clogged, the water has nowhere to go," he explained.
Havana local Yaquelin Jiménez summarized the worsening situation on Facebook, noting the compounded challenges for residents.
"All in one. Power outage. Flooding. No electricity. And raining at the same time," she lamented.
Severe Weather Strikes Western Cuba
The Cuban Institute of Meteorology (INSMET) reported during the afternoon about showers, rain, and thunderstorms in the western half of the country, particularly towards interior and northern areas.
The agency also warned that the rainfall could persist into the night.
The floods once again highlight a recurring issue for Havana residents: blocked sewers, garbage accumulation, and a decaying drainage infrastructure incapable of quickly evacuating large volumes of water.
This is not the first episode of heavy rains to hit the capital during September.
On September 12, the José Martí International Airport recorded 71.8 millimeters of rain in just one hour.
The torrential downpours during those days also caused damage to homes in several Havana municipalities.
Understanding Havana's Flood Challenges
What caused the flooding in Central Havana?
The flooding was caused by heavy rains and poor drainage systems, with clogged sewers preventing water from properly draining.
How did residents cope with the flooding?
Residents struggled to move through the floodwaters, and a tractor was used to transport people across inundated areas.
What additional challenges did the residents face during the flood?
Along with flooding, residents dealt with power outages and lack of electricity, exacerbating the situation.