A video shared on the Facebook group Revolico Río Cauto showcases the severe flooding that has engulfed much of the Granma municipality. The deluge has left homes, crops, and roads completely underwater.
Captured by Leodanis Sánchez from a helicopter, the footage reveals a devastated landscape where only rooftops are visible, while the rest of the town remains submerged due to the swollen river.
The images depict such a high water level that distinguishing streets or property lines is impossible. Extensive agricultural areas are also flooded, indicating significant economic losses for a region heavily reliant on rice and sugarcane production.
Residents have taken to social media to report that communities such as Guamo Viejo, Cayama, Santa Rosa, and Trinidad are among the hardest hit. Videos posted in recent hours show locals pleading for aid, with many claiming that "90% of the people will lose everything."
Hurricane Melissa, which battered eastern Cuba with heavy rains, caused the Cauto River, the country's longest, to overflow, devastating homes and farmlands in its path.
Authorities have deployed helicopters, amphibious vehicles, and military rescue teams, but the operations are progressing slowly due to the high water levels.
The images shared by Sánchez have quickly gone viral on social media, becoming a symbol of the catastrophe and the vulnerability faced by thousands of families in eastern Cuba.
"Stay strong, my people from the neighborhood where I was born and raised. Everyone's house is underwater, it's heartbreaking," commented one user, moved by the scale of the disaster.
Impact of Flooding in Río Cauto
What areas in Río Cauto are most affected by the flooding?
The communities of Guamo Viejo, Cayama, Santa Rosa, and Trinidad are reported to be among the most severely impacted by the flooding.
What has caused the flooding in Río Cauto?
The flooding occurred after Hurricane Melissa brought intense rains, leading to the overflow of the Cauto River, Cuba's longest river.
What are the economic implications of the flooding?
The flooding has submerged extensive agricultural areas, resulting in significant economic losses, especially for the rice and sugarcane sectors that the region depends on.