Despite the regime's claims of flawless preparation for natural disasters, the truth is far from the official rhetoric. The heavy rains brought by Tropical Storm Imelda led to flooding in several areas of eastern Cuba. In the midst of this emergency, residents of San Félix Street in Santiago de Cuba took matters into their own hands, performing tasks the authorities refused to undertake.
According to a report shared on Facebook by journalist Yosmany Mayeta, locals had no choice but to use shovels, buckets, and makeshift tools to clear blocked drains, as water had no escape route and homes began to flood. Despite repeated appeals, provincial authorities failed to dispatch municipal crews or support teams, forcing the community to act independently after the downpour. Men, women, and young people united in a communal effort that, beyond solidarity, highlights their desperation in the face of institutional neglect.
This incident once again underscored the neglect affecting the city and the official indifference toward everyday challenges, Mayeta emphasized. While the citizens organize to address issues that should be government responsibilities, leaders are scarcely seen, often appearing only to justify their inaction or pose for cameras, without delivering tangible solutions to a crisis that recurs annually with the rains.
Similarly, heavy rains in the Guamá municipality of Santiago de Cuba severely damaged the Cañizo Bridge, a crucial route for local traffic now teetering on the brink of collapse. According to a report by TV Santiago on Facebook, the storm undermined one corner of the structure, exposing the concrete foundation and compromising its strength.
Imelda's impact was not limited to this. The Charco Mono reservoir, previously suffering from drought in Santiago de Cuba, experienced a substantial recovery due to the intense rains, going from dead volume to 55.1% capacity within just 24 hours. In Guantánamo, the weather phenomenon caused the collapse of a temporary bridge in the Imías municipality, leaving several communities isolated.
Additionally, five individuals were rescued after the Sígua River overflowed in its namesake town in Santiago de Cuba, a result of the severe rains battering eastern Cuba. However, the most tragic consequence of Imelda was the collapse of a house in Santiago de Cuba due to a landslide triggered by the heavy rains, resulting in the death of a 60-year-old man while he slept. The victim was identified as Luis Mario Pérez Coiterio.
Community Efforts and Government Inaction in Santiago de Cuba
How did the residents of Santiago de Cuba respond to the flooding?
Residents of Santiago de Cuba took proactive measures by using shovels, buckets, and improvised tools to clear blocked drains, as authorities failed to provide necessary assistance.
What were the consequences of Tropical Storm Imelda in eastern Cuba?
Tropical Storm Imelda caused widespread flooding, damage to infrastructure such as the Cañizo Bridge, and led to the tragic death of a man in Santiago de Cuba due to a landslide.
What was the impact of the storm on the Charco Mono reservoir?
The Charco Mono reservoir saw a significant increase in water levels, reaching 55.1% capacity after the heavy rains, marking a recovery from its previous drought conditions.