On Friday, residents of La Cuchilla found themselves cut off from the rest of Palma Soriano, Santiago de Cuba, when a surge in the river swept away the makeshift bridge connecting them to the municipality.
Yerlenis Vicet Maturell voiced the community's distress on the Revolico Palma Soriano Facebook group, demanding an immediate resolution to an issue that recurs with every heavy rainfall.
"We, the residents of section 2 of La Cuchilla in Palma Soriano, are completely isolated. Just two hours of rain caused the river to rise and take away the makeshift bridge. We have no safe way to cross. It's been a year since the cyclone, and there is still no permanent bridge. Now look at how neighbors risk slipping and falling. This needs an urgent solution," Maturell urged.
Accompanying images depict murky brown water overflowing amidst lush banana and plantain vegetation, with electric cables running above the swollen river.
The Aftermath of Cyclone Melissa
The struggle began with Cyclone Melissa, which struck Santiago de Cuba on the morning of October 29, 2025, bringing winds exceeding 120 mph to Palma Soriano.
This hurricane inflicted severe damage on roads and railways, caused the Charco Mono dam to overflow with over 6 inches of rain in less than an hour, and left widespread destruction in homes, schools, and healthcare facilities.
Ongoing Challenges in Rural Communities
One year later, essential infrastructure in rural areas of the municipality remains unaddressed. The current crisis unfolds amid another spell of intense rains in mid-November 2026, with the Cuban Institute of Meteorology issuing warnings for heavy and persistent rainfall in central and eastern regions.
La Cuchilla's residents have aired multiple grievances in recent months. They previously spoke out after enduring a 15-day blackout, resolved only after public outcry on social media.
Moreover, the community reported over six months without regular water supply through municipal networks, forcing them to rely on water trucks and other solutions to meet their household needs.
The plight of La Cuchilla epitomizes the structural neglect faced by rural communities in eastern Cuba: lacking a permanent bridge, stable electricity, and running water, residents are left vulnerable every time heavy rains hit, while authorities fail to provide concrete answers or timelines for reconstruction.
Understanding the Crisis in La Cuchilla
What caused the isolation of La Cuchilla residents?
The residents of La Cuchilla were isolated when a river surge swept away the temporary bridge connecting them to Palma Soriano, following heavy rainfall.
How did Cyclone Melissa impact the area?
Cyclone Melissa struck in October 2025, causing extensive damage to infrastructure, including roads and railways, and resulting in significant flooding and destruction in Palma Soriano.
What are the ongoing issues faced by La Cuchilla?
Residents continue to struggle with a lack of a permanent bridge, unreliable electricity, and intermittent water supply, leaving them vulnerable to each severe weather event.
What actions have residents taken to address these problems?
Residents have turned to social media to voice their frustrations and demand urgent solutions from authorities, particularly following prolonged blackouts and water shortages.