The overflowing of the Cauto River has left 23 individuals stranded in the Los Haticos area of Cauto Cristo municipality. Local authorities have launched a rescue operation to ensure the safety of those affected.
Yudelkis Ortiz, head of the Defense Council in Granma and the leading secretary of the Communist Party in the province, shared on Facebook that rescue teams are already on the scene with boats to transport people to safer locations.
Ortiz emphasized that "work has been carried out responsibly and tirelessly to preserve, above all, human lives," though she acknowledged that some individual behaviors have complicated the evacuation process amid the increasing risks.
The official attributed the flooding to the heavy rains brought by Hurricane Melissa, which caused the Cauto River to overflow, inundating rural communities.
Authorities have noted that the terrain conditions are challenging for rescue efforts, but they remain in constant communication with the teams conducting the operation.
Ortiz also highlighted the importance of organization and citizen cooperation during emergencies, stressing that "timeliness is key" in adhering to evacuation directives to prevent further dangers.
In a subsequent update, Ortiz reported the successful rescue of 56 people in Los Haticos, Cauto Cristo, Granma Province, including 6 children and 9 women.
She expressed her gratitude: "My heart beats again with appreciation for these heroes and all those who put #AllHandsOnDeck for this mission."
On Thursday, combined forces from the Eastern Army, Central Army, and the Ministry of the Interior (MININT) successfully rescued 38 people trapped by river flooding in Cacocum municipality, Holguín Province, as per the Eastern Army's official Facebook page.
The operation, which spanned five hours, was complicated by "the challenging terrain, the river's force, and the prevailing darkness." Teams utilized an amphibious transporter PTS to traverse the eight kilometers from the municipal center to the Santa María village, where those affected were located.
"Young combatants navigated the eight kilometers in the amphibious transporter PTS from the municipal center to the Santa María village, rescuing 38 individuals, including children, women, and the elderly, many of whom had various health conditions," the statement detailed.
On Wednesday, the MININT released the first images of a rescue conducted at dawn in El Cobre, Santiago de Cuba municipality. According to the regime's statement, the operation successfully secured several individuals amid adverse conditions.
The footage, revealed later, confirms the safe extraction of those affected and shows their subsequent reunion with emergency teams.
FAQs on Flood Rescue Operations in Cuba
What caused the flooding in Cauto Cristo?
The flooding was a direct result of intense rains linked to Hurricane Melissa, which led to the Cauto River overflowing and inundating nearby rural communities.
How many people were rescued in Los Haticos?
A total of 56 people were rescued in Los Haticos, including 6 children and 9 women.
What challenges did the rescue teams face?
The rescue teams faced difficulties due to challenging terrain, the strong river currents, and darkness, which made the operation more complex.