A team of firefighters and rescue personnel successfully retrieved a custodian who was stranded at the El Chapuzón recreational center, overwhelmed by the floodwaters of the Bayamo River in Granma Province, following the heavy rains brought by Hurricane Melissa.
According to CNC TV Granma, the rescue took place on Thursday. The man was safely removed from the flooded area by boat, thanks to the efforts of the Bayamo Fire Department and other agencies involved in the operation.
The identity of the rescued custodian remains undisclosed. Social media posts reveal the river's forceful torrent sweeping through the area and nearly submerging park kiosks.
The Daring Rescue Operation
In this challenging scenario, rescuers managed to save the man's life. Comments on the social media post indicated that more individuals were trapped in the recreational area, located on the riverbank in San Juan del Cristo neighborhood, near the urban center.
Bayamo River, which flows through the iconic city of the same name, overflowed due to the relentless rains from Hurricane Melissa and the runoff from reservoirs, which drain into the lowlands of the Cauto plain instead of directly into the sea, as reported by local television.
Impact on the Community
Flooding severely affected neighborhoods adjacent to the river. Images shared online depict numerous communities inundated, with homes almost entirely submerged.
Residents and former locals claimed they had never seen the river rise so dramatically, attributing it to the opening of several reservoir gates to relieve pressure after days of rainfall as the cyclone approached Cuba.
Government Response and Warnings
Yudelkis Ortiz Barceló, the first secretary of the Cuban Communist Party (PCC) in Granma, stated on Facebook on Wednesday morning that "all facilities in the vicinity of El Chapuzón are underwater" and warned of the area's dangers. She noted, "Since Hurricane Flora, residents say it has never been this bad."
Ortiz urged the public to remain cautious, disciplined, and cooperative, adding that authorities were present to prevent further harm. In another post, she cautioned that the Bayamo River at El Chapuzón was attracting onlookers and that measures had been taken to keep people at a safe distance due to the river's potential to rise further with ongoing rain and the release of water from the Corojo dam.
Widespread Effects of Hurricane Melissa
Hurricane Melissa left entire communities isolated in eastern Cuba due to flooding, with many individuals stranded. Rescue operations have been reported in the provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, and Holguín, the hardest-hit areas by the powerful Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale, which pummeled the region with winds reaching up to 121 mph and torrential rains.
FAQs About Bayamo River Flooding and Rescue Efforts
What caused the Bayamo River to overflow?
The Bayamo River overflowed due to the persistent rains from Hurricane Melissa and the runoff from reservoirs, which do not drain directly into the sea but rather into the lowlands of the Cauto plain.
How did rescuers manage to reach the stranded custodian?
Rescuers reached the custodian using a boat, navigating through the flooded area to safely extract him from the submerged recreational center.
Are there more people trapped in the affected areas?
Comments on social media suggest that additional individuals were trapped in the recreational area, prompting ongoing rescue efforts to ensure their safety.