MIAMI, United States. — The intense rains that affect a good part of the Caribbean have been present in the eastern region of Cuba, where significant accumulations are beginning to be reported.
In its Special Notice No. 2the Cuban Institute of Meteorology (INSMET) recalled that the heavy rainfall is related “to the persistence of a trough in the middle and upper levels of the troposphere over the Gulf of Mexico,” which has been combined with “a humid flow of the southwest and the afternoon instability, derived from the strong heating of the day in the most affected areas.
According to the network of rain gauges of INSMET and the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INRH), in 32 localities accumulated rainfall exceeding 100 millimeters was reported, and in two of them rainfall was above 200 millimeters.
The most significant values were registered in the towns of Baire (Santiago de Cuba), with 305 millimeters (mm); Charco Redondo (Granma), with 214.2 mm; Guamuta (Holguín), with 177 mm; Mission 5 Reservoir (Camagüey), with 170.4 mm; and La Gloria (Camagüey), with 145mm.
The state press has reported in the last few hours on the numerous floods registered, mainly in the provinces of Santiago de Cuba, Holguín and Camagüey.
“Rivers and streams out of their banks in Tercer Frente, Santiago de Cuba. It has been raining non-stop since Wednesday night. Saturated soils cause flooding in several eastern towns,” reported journalist Lázaro Manuel Alonso, from the Cuban Television Information System.
For his part, reporter Emilio Rodríguez Pupo, from Holguín, alerted on social networks about flooding in homes in the towns of Guaro, Juliana 3, Guayabo, Colorado, Juan George Soto and Herrera.
“They report a warehouse collapse in Nipe, evacuating resources to nearby centers. Arranged engineering machines for access to complex places. The Mayarí dam pours more than six cubic meters per second,” said Rodríguez Pupo.
INSMET indicated that these hydrometeorological conditions will continue in the coming days.
“In the next 24 to 48 hours, these unstable atmospheric conditions will continue throughout the national territory, generating showers, rain and electrical storms in a large part of the country. Rainfall will increase as of today in western Cuba and could be strong and intense in some locations, mainly in the central and eastern regions,” the statement added.