Heavy Rain Triggers Flooding in Santa Clara, Overflows Bélico River

On Wednesday evening, a powerful storm unleashed flooding across various areas of Santa Clara, situated in Villa Clara province, as a staggering 250 millimeters of rainfall accumulated within just two hours, according to reports from the Provincial Meteorological Center.

This weather event led to the overflow of the Bélico River at the intersection of Martí and Toscano streets. Here, the water surged over the bridge and inundated nearby homes, sparking concern among locals.

Fortunately, there were no reports of casualties or injuries. However, the incident once again highlighted the fragility of the urban infrastructure in the face of extreme weather conditions.

The deluge swamped streets, carrying debris and trash in its wake, which necessitated immediate response efforts from authorities and Civil Defense. After midnight, water levels began to recede.

Government's Response and Local Complaints

Susely Morfa González, the first secretary of the Communist Party in Villa Clara, along with provincial vice governor Noel Cecilio Chinea, surveyed the areas most affected by the river's rise, accompanied by other government officials.

Many locals have taken to social media to express their frustration, pointing out that such flooding is not a new occurrence. They attribute the problem to poor maintenance of waterways and drainage systems. "The lack of river sanitation, which hasn't been addressed for a long time, obviously contributes to the overflow," some residents noted.

Eyewitness Reports and Future Concerns

Eyewitness accounts described the event as "relentless rain for nearly two hours," emphasizing the severity of the situation given the height of the bridge on Martí street. Images shared on social media by journalist Minoska Cadalso depicted flooded homes, stranded vehicles, and the Bélico River breaching its banks with alarming force.

This occurrence underscored not only the vulnerability of the city’s hydraulic system but also the pressing need for structural preventive measures and a comprehensive sanitation program for urban waterways.

Immediate Actions and Uncertain Long-term Plans

Authorities have announced immediate cleanup and sanitation efforts in and around the Bélico River, but as of now, there is no word on a long-term strategy to prevent similar incidents with potentially worse outcomes.

Coincidentally, a severe local storm caused significant flooding in the city of Bayamo, Granma province, on Tuesday. While the meteorological forecast had predicted rain for Wednesday morning, the storm struck earlier, catching city residents off guard.

The heavy rainfall quickly overwhelmed Bayamo's drainage systems, resulting in floods in areas such as Siboney, El Valle, Roberto Reyes, and Antonio Guiteras.