A severe local storm struck the coastal municipality of Pilón in Granma, leaving behind a trail of destruction with makeshift schools obliterated, solar panels damaged, power supply disrupted, and agricultural losses. This occurred just hours after a similar weather event caused power outages and material damage in Camagüey.
The Municipal Education Directorate of Pilón reported that the intense winds, occurring Wednesday afternoon and night, demolished two tent classrooms and damaged the restroom facilities at the ESBU Juan Vitalio Acuña Núñez. Additionally, it affected two tents at the semi-boarding school "Amiguitos de la FAR" and the primary school in the Ojo de Agua community.
Photos released by the authorities depict the completely collapsed tent structures, underscoring the vulnerability of these provisional educational setups.
Impact on Electrical Infrastructure
The storm also took a toll on the municipality's electrical infrastructure. Dayamis Silva Lara, the first secretary of the Party in Pilón, confirmed damages to solar panels being installed at Etecsa and those already set up at the local polyclinic, along with disruptions to the electrical grid.
Silva Lara noted that power service was interrupted in several areas, particularly in the popular councils of Sevilla and Ojo de Agua, where some residents still remained without electricity due to the storm's impact.
Damage to Agriculture and Recovery Efforts
The fierce winds also resulted in the destruction of banana and mango crops belonging to local farmers.
"With the strength of unity, recovery efforts began early," Silva Lara stated, emphasizing the commencement of plans to restore services and assess the full extent of the damage.
The storm was accompanied by heavy rains, powerful wind gusts, and lightning, according to local officials.
Recurring Severe Weather in Eastern Cuba
The damage in Granma occurred before another severe storm hit the city of Camagüey, where heavy rain, hail, and winds toppled trees and disrupted electricity, even affecting the special circuits powering the Provincial and Oncology Hospitals.
These events unfold amid significant atmospheric instability in Cuba, exacerbating the plight of an already strained infrastructure due to the country's prolonged economic and energy crisis.
In Pilón, the devastation of tent schools highlights the precariousness of educational facilities that continue to operate in temporary structures, now increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of intensifying weather phenomena.
Frequently Asked Questions About Storm Impact in Pilón
What was the impact of the storm on Pilón's schools?
The storm demolished temporary tent classrooms and damaged restroom facilities at ESBU Juan Vitalio Acuña Núñez, as well as impacted other schools in the area.
How did the storm affect Pilón's electrical infrastructure?
The storm damaged solar panels at Etecsa and the local polyclinic, causing power outages in several areas, notably in Sevilla and Ojo de Agua.
What agricultural losses did Pilón face due to the storm?
The storm led to the loss of banana and mango crops, affecting local farmers in the region.