The tropical storm Melissa is maintaining its strength in the central Caribbean, with the potential to strike eastern Cuba in the coming days, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and storm surges, according to reports from the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
Yet, long before the first raindrop falls, the nation already feels like it's in a state of disaster.
Santiago-based writer and activist Yasser Sosa Tamayo shared a poignant message on Facebook this Thursday, highlighting the extreme vulnerability with which Cuba awaits Melissa's arrival.
"It hasn't even rained yet, and the country already looks post-catastrophe. Melissa is not coming to visit the east; it's coming as a sentence," he expressed.
The activist's heartfelt words paint a picture of a defenseless nation bracing for the storm, with a blend of poetic and harrowing tones.
"The country stands exposed: empty stores, basic supplies stalled in some unseen warehouse, roofs patched with faith, walls held up more by habit than by cement," he lamented.
Sosa also warned of a looming health and environmental collapse even before the storm hits: "Everyone falls ill amidst piles of garbage and leaks. No ambulance service, no money for taxis. No medicines to manage chronic illnesses or combat circulating viruses. The rain hasn't fallen yet, and already we are sick."
As Melissa continues its slow movement north-northwest with sustained winds of 75 km/h, the NHC warns that the storm could escalate into a hurricane by Saturday, intensifying further by Sunday, posing risks of torrential rains and landslides in eastern Cuba.
The activist's message ends with a call for solidarity in the face of institutional neglect: "Those with a roof, offer protection. Those with food, share. Those with a voice, speak out. Those with hands, help. Because if we do not save each other, then no one will save us."
In the comments section, he added: "This is not the time to watch; it is the time to act."
Further emphasizing his humanistic approach, he urged: "If you know someone without a roof, without food, without family, or means to protect themselves, act today, not later. Share, tag, offer help, open your door, donate what you can. The storm is almost here; let it not find us with our arms crossed."
Understanding the Impact of Tropical Storm Melissa on Cuba
What is the current status of Tropical Storm Melissa?
Tropical Storm Melissa is currently maintaining its strength in the central Caribbean with sustained winds of 75 km/h. It is predicted to potentially impact eastern Cuba in the following days.
How is Cuba preparing for the storm?
Cuba is already in a state of heightened alert and vulnerability, with empty stores, inadequate infrastructure, and limited resources. Activists are calling for community solidarity to brace for the storm's impact.
What are the potential risks of Melissa becoming a hurricane?
If Melissa escalates into a hurricane, it could bring severe weather conditions including torrential rains and landslides, especially in the eastern regions of Cuba. This poses significant threats to already vulnerable communities.