In the eastern region of Cuba, numerous communities, particularly around Río Cauto and Guamo, have faced evacuations due to the overflowing Cauto River, the nation's longest waterway.
Local media and official sources report that hundreds have been evacuated, including pregnant women, mothers with newborns, and young girls. These individuals found refuge on Saturday at the 1ro de Enero Sports Complex in Bayamo.
Efforts to safeguard lives amid rising waters involve the Civil Defense, the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR), and the Ministry of the Interior (MININT). Medical teams, firefighters, and community volunteers remain actively engaged in rescue operations.
One of the more dramatic incidents unfolded in Guamo, where a train consisting of 13 carriages successfully transported over 2,600 people to safety in a high-stakes operation.
During the journey, locomotive 52554 encountered challenges as the tracks were eroded by the strong currents, leading to the detachment of several carriages. Despite the peril, the crew's skill and the passengers' cooperation ensured that no injuries occurred.
Railway authorities, supported by the Cuban Railways Union and the Las Tunas Provincial Defense Council, coordinated the retrieval of stranded carriages and the complete evacuation of passengers, some of whom were aided by private boats due to water levels reaching the train steps.
Reinaldo Reyes, the Transportation Delegate in Las Tunas, confirmed that evacuees were subsequently transported by bus to Colombia, where they received medical attention and food.
Furthermore, railcars from Jobabo returned to Guamo to collect those remaining in the carriages, ensuring their transfer to safe areas.
In a nearby location, Los Cayos de Río Cauto, the Ministry of the Forces executed a challenging helicopter rescue of six individuals, who were trapped without access to the roof of their flooded building.
The National Defense Council remains on alert for any further evacuation needs while working to restore the rail line and recover equipment damaged by the floods, a consequence of Hurricane Melissa's impact.
On social media, official outlets such as CMKX Radio Bayamo and CNC TV Granma shared images of the rescue missions, while users posted supportive messages for affected families and the rescue teams.
Heavy rains continue to batter parts of eastern Cuba, and authorities remain vigilant against potential additional overflows of the Cauto River.
Key Information on the Río Cauto Flooding
What areas have been most affected by the Cauto River flooding?
The regions most impacted include Río Cauto and Guamo in eastern Cuba, where severe flooding has led to substantial evacuations.
How are the Cuban authorities responding to the flooding?
Authorities, including Civil Defense, FAR, and MININT, are actively involved in rescue operations, aided by medical teams, firefighters, and community volunteers.
Were there any injuries reported during the train evacuation in Guamo?
No injuries were reported, thanks to the expertise of the train crew and the cooperation of passengers during the complex evacuation process.