Amidst the flooding in the region, Cuba's Red Cross and rescue forces have been actively conducting rescue operations in the Cauto Embarcadero community, located in Río Cauto municipality.
According to a report by CMKX Radio Bayamo on Facebook, these rescue efforts are part of a larger operation that saw over two thousand residents evacuated on Thursday evening and into the early hours of Friday.
Additionally, more than a thousand residents from the Guamo community in Granma province were urgently relocated during the early hours of Friday to the Jobabo municipality in Las Tunas, due to the imminent flood threat posed by the rising Cauto River.
This situation has arisen following the severe rainfall associated with Hurricane Melissa, which struck Cuba on October 28th.
CNC TV Granma reported that the evacuation was carried out promptly during the early hours when the rising river levels began to threaten a nearby dam. Families were primarily relocated to the "Manifiesto de Montecristi" Polytechnic, where a reception center with basic lodging and food provisions was set up.
Yaidel Miguel Rodríguez Castro, an official, noted that approximately 1,300 individuals were initially transported by train to the evacuation center, with more displaced individuals continuing to arrive.
Authorities anticipate that the number of evacuees will range between 5,000 and 7,000 people in the coming hours as rescue operations progress in the affected rural areas.
During the crisis, some of the bread intended for Jobabo's residents was redirected to ensure breakfast for the evacuees, a measure Rodríguez stated would be compensated later in the day.
Residents from the Grito de Yara area and other nearby localities reported on social media that homes were flooded and streets were completely submerged. "The water is already inside the houses... we are without communication and have not slept," wrote one resident from the area.
Local media, including La Demajagua, confirmed the evacuation of hundreds of inhabitants and the mobilization of the Municipal Defense Council, which is coordinating the reception of the displaced with support from territorial structures.
As of now, no casualties have been reported, but the situation in Granma and Las Tunas remains critical due to the high risk of flooding in the Cauto River basin, the longest river in Cuba.
Key Questions on Granma Evacuations Due to Cauto River Flooding
What prompted the evacuations in Granma?
The evacuations were prompted by severe flooding due to the rising levels of the Cauto River, following intense rainfall associated with Hurricane Melissa.
How many people have been evacuated so far?
Approximately over two thousand residents have been evacuated, with authorities expecting the number to reach between 5,000 and 7,000.
Where are the evacuees being relocated?
Evacuees are being relocated to the "Manifiesto de Montecristi" Polytechnic, where a center with basic facilities has been set up to accommodate them.