AREQUIPA, Peru – A flood in the Havana Bay tunnel caused by the passage of Hurricane Helene meant the temporary closure of vehicle circulation through the structure, a situation that was reversed this Saturday.
“Since this morning (Friday) numerous mentions have circulated on digital social networks of the closure of the Cabaña-Havana direction of the bay tunnel, as a result of an accumulation of water on the road that prevented traffic,” wrote on Facebook the Minister of Transportation, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila.
An obstruction in the drainage conduits of the tunnel prevented the management of the waters derived from the passage of Hurricane Helene through the west of the Island.
“With the support of the territorial authorities and the participation of brigades and specialized means, the evacuation of the waters was achieved and the tunnel returns to normal,” said the owner.
According to Rodríguez Dávila, the flood represents an “extraordinary problem”, so actions will continue to delve into its causes, with the aim of preventing its repetition.
Other affections of Helene
During its passage through the Island, Helene intensified and the force of its winds impacted coastal communities in Pinar del Río, where it caused destruction. In the town of Cortés, south of the Sandino municipality, several homes suffered total collapses and one lost its roof, according to confirmed the regime’s official press on social networks.
Pinar del Río was also hit by storm surge and strong gusts of wind that reached 85 mph (140 km/h) with higher gusts.
The Cuyaguateje River left its channel and reached seven meters, which forced the residents of the Popular Council of Isabel Rubio to be moved to the homes of acquaintances and relatives. Eight families had to be evacuated in total.
In addition, the heavy rains They caused light flooding in some areas, mainly on the south coast. At Cabo de San Antonio, waves of three to five meters were recorded.
Beyond the damage to the Havana Bay tunnel, the greatest damage was accumulated in the provinces of Pinar del Río and Artemisa, where one day after the hurricane, nearly 260,000 homes were reported without electricity service.
