On Friday, aerial visuals and personal accounts have surfaced, displaying the catastrophic extent of the Cauto River’s overflow. Following the havoc wreaked by Hurricane Melissa, water has engulfed homes, farmlands, and industrial sites, leaving numerous individuals stranded and pleading for help.
These striking visuals, shared via the Facebook page of the provincial station CMKX Radio Bayamo, reveal a grim reality: residences, highways, and agricultural zones completely drowned under water. This deluge occurred after Cuba’s largest river overflowed on Wednesday due to the severe weather event.
Provincial Defense Council authorities, senior Eastern Army officials, and Communist Party leaders have recently gauged the flood's severity amid rescue missions for isolated residents in various rural communities, according to reports.
During their assessment, officials observed extensive damage to the local economy, particularly in agriculture, along with significant harm to housing and transportation routes.
National Defense Council President and leader Miguel Díaz-Canel communicated by phone with Yudelkis Ortiz Barceló, the Provincial Defense Council President, to gain insights on the situation, as stated in another post by Radio Bayamo.
High-ranking military leaders, including General Roberto Legrá Sotolongo, head of the General Staff of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR), were also involved.
Meanwhile, social media reactions express residents' frustration. Many condemn the government's sluggish response, asserting there are still numerous people trapped in inaccessible areas.
“No, no, everything is supposedly under control, according to the authorities. Don’t mess with me. My town is dying!” exclaimed one outraged user online.
“Many remain in danger. When action is delayed to the last moment, this is what happens,” commented another resident.
Other posts accuse authorities of only discussing economic losses, demanding immediate rescue efforts for the desperate citizens before evaluating material damages.
The waters of the Cauto River, traversing several municipalities in Santiago de Cuba, Granma, and Holguín, have reached unprecedented levels in decades, demolishing homes and causing power and communication outages across much of eastern Cuba.
While officials continue to speak of “control” and “recovery,” the images and firsthand accounts tell a different tale: one of a community left to fend for itself, creating makeshift shelters and demanding answers that seem perpetually overdue.
Impact of Cauto River Flooding: Key Questions
What caused the Cauto River to overflow?
The overflow was caused by the intense rainfall and winds brought on by Hurricane Melissa, leading to unprecedented water levels.
How has the flooding affected local communities?
Local communities have suffered significant damage, with homes, roads, and farmlands submerged, and many residents stranded without aid.
What is the government doing in response to the flooding?
The government has conducted assessments and made rescue operations; however, many residents criticize the response as slow and inadequate.