SLP, Mexico.- Due to the proximity of the imminent hurricane Raphaelwhich could hit Cuba as a category 2 event on the Saffir-Simpson scale, the Cuban authorities decided to suspend air transportation in western Cuba until Thursday.
In a release Official issued by Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, Minister of Transportation of Cuba, indicated that the airports of Gerona, Cayo Largo del Sur, Havana and Varadero suspend their operations from 12 am. from this Wednesday until Thursday, November 7.
“It has been decided to suspend service and operations at the airports of Gerona, Cayo Largo del Sur, Havana and Varadero from 12 midnight today, Tuesday, November 5, until 12 noon on Thursday, the 7th of the month. course,” said the text shared on the profile of the official journalist Lázaro Manuel Alonso.
The note specified that passengers who plan to travel during the suspension period must contact the agency or airline with which they purchased the tickets to reschedule their trip.
Meanwhile, the country’s other international airports will continue to operate normally.
Meteorologist José Rubiera warned that the tropical storm Raphael It could have consequences if it enters Cuban territory as a category two hurricane.
In a report On his YouTube channel, the Cuban meteorologist warned that the feeding bands that are forming are “well consistent” and that Rafael is gaining structure quickly. This could intensify when the phenomenon enters the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea.
The temperatures of the Caribbean Sea, the excess humidity at low levels and the presence of weak winds in the upper atmosphere, can influence a rapid intensification of Rafael.
At 4:00 pm. Rafael has strengthened and has maximum sustained winds of 110 km/h, and although it is still a tropical storm, it is very close to becoming a hurricane.
According to another Cuban expert, heavy rains are expected to prevail from Wednesday to Thursday. The accumulated would be over 150, 200 millimeters.