A video shared on social media this Saturday reveals the severe flooding in Río Cauto, a municipality in Granma province, where residents are claiming that "most people will lose everything."
In the footage, posted by Facebook user Javi Traba, a local describes how the water has engulfed much of the town, leaving only a small dry area in the center.
"This is the only dry spot left here in the center of Río Cauto... it's just 200 meters from here to the cinema, and the water is already reaching it," he narrates.
The account highlights the dire situation faced by communities and hamlets like Guamo Viejo, Cayama, and Trinidad, where it is said that "people have lost it all."
The narrator also brings attention to the bridge at "La Cuba," which is "eroding" and could collapse at any moment.
While some residents are using boats to rescue those trapped, the water has reportedly reached depths of seven to eight meters in certain areas, preventing vehicles from passing.
"Guamo Viejo is underwater," the man states, noting that while many have evacuated, some remain stranded.
"Those who stayed did so by choice, because everyone was evacuated," he remarks, visibly shaken by the disaster's scale.
Filmed in a mix of disbelief and despair, the video paints a catastrophic picture of one of the eastern region's lowest areas, battered by relentless rains that continue to raise the river's level.
In response to the crisis, Army Corps General Roberto Legrá Sotolongo, the first deputy minister and chief of the General Staff of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR), is leading a rescue and evacuation operation in the municipality, alongside a Minfar task force, as reported by the official newspaper 26 on Facebook.
Participating in the efforts is Major General Eugenio Armando Ravilero Aguilera, head of the Eastern Army, along with joint forces from the Ministry of the Interior, firefighters, and over 150 FAR personnel, supported by helicopters, amphibious vehicles, and traction trucks.
According to the source, residents from various parts of Río Cauto are being transported by road from the municipal center to Cauto Embarcadero, while others continue to be evacuated by train.
The images and testimonies capture the devastation left by Melissa in eastern Cuba, where ongoing rains are further elevating the river's levels and complicating rescue efforts.
Impact of Flooding in Río Cauto
What areas are worst affected by the Río Cauto flooding?
The worst affected areas include the communities of Guamo Viejo, Cayama, and Trinidad, where many residents have lost everything due to the flooding.
Who is leading the rescue operations in Río Cauto?
Army Corps General Roberto Legrá Sotolongo is leading the rescue and evacuation operations, with support from Major General Eugenio Armando Ravilero Aguilera and joint forces from various governmental bodies.
How are residents being evacuated from the flooded areas?
Residents are being evacuated by both road and rail, with some using boats to rescue those trapped by the floodwaters.