The water level of the Cauto River has begun to recede between the municipalities of Cauto Cristo in Granma and Baraguá in Santiago de Cuba. Despite this, several communities remain submerged, with ongoing rescue operations, as reported by Cuba's Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) on Friday.
A delegation, including the head of Engineering from the FAR, the Chief of Staff of the Eastern Army, and technicians from the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INRH), assessed the situation in Cauto Cristo and Río Cauto, which have been significantly impacted by the torrential rains and the river's overflow following the destructive path of Hurricane Melissa.
Although the water levels have decreased, the saturated soil and overflowing reservoirs complicate recovery efforts, according to a FAR update on their Facebook page.
Authorities have determined that evacuation and rescue operations for residents should continue, alongside constant monitoring of reservoir levels and the river's lower course.
Reservoirs Near Capacity Under Scrutiny
The provincial delegate of INRH, Marbelis Campos Busquet, stated that all 11 reservoirs in Granma are in "perfect technical condition," with nine reaching their maximum capacity. She reported that "all overflow has been decreasing" and dismissed concerns about the Cauto El Paso dam being out of control, according to a Facebook report from the provincial radio station CMKX Radio Bayamo.
Campos clarified that the largest reservoir in the province has managed to handle substantial water inflow from Santiago and Holguín—up to 6,000 cubic meters per second from Baraguá and 1,800 from Céspedes—without compromising its structural integrity. It currently discharges 4,089 cubic meters per second, which she described as "a normal volume," and noted that the structure can handle up to 11,000 cubic meters through its main gates and an additional 6,500 through the auxiliary spillway.
However, citizen reports from local Facebook groups, such as Revolico Río Cauto, paint a different picture. Residents have posted images of flooded streets and homes underwater in communities like Trinidad and in buildings 21 and 22 in the Río Cauto municipality.
"This is how building 21 looks, on the central road, and they say everything is under control—give me a break," a frustrated resident commented.
Community Struggles Amid Official Assurances
While officials maintain that the situation is "under control," social media testimonies indicate that the emergency continues to disrupt the lives of many residents, with areas still isolated and a return to normalcy far from reality.
Approximately 1,300 residents from Guamo in Granma were urgently evacuated early Friday to Jobabo in Las Tunas due to the imminent risk of flooding from the Cauto's rise.
The Cuban Red Cross and rescue teams are conducting operations in the Cauto Embarcadero community in Río Cauto municipality following the area's inundation. These efforts are part of the evacuation of over 2,000 residents carried out late yesterday and early Friday, as reported by CMKX Radio Bayamo on Facebook.
No casualties have been reported thus far, but the situation in Granma and Las Tunas remains dire due to the high risk of severe flooding in Cuba's longest river basin.
Understanding the Cauto River Flooding Crisis
What caused the Cauto River to overflow?
The overflow was primarily caused by heavy rains associated with Hurricane Melissa, leading to excessive water levels in the river and its tributaries.
Are the reservoirs in Granma safe?
According to INRH, the reservoirs, including Cauto El Paso, are in perfect technical condition and capable of handling the current water volumes.
How are local communities being affected by the flooding?
Communities are experiencing severe flooding, with homes and streets submerged, leading to evacuations and ongoing rescue operations.