A total of 456,470 people are affected in Cuba by the scarcity of water and the difficulties in pumping it, and the figure may increase due to the growing impact of the drought in the country, official media on the island reported this Friday.
This growing number is influenced by the fact that currently 360 pumping stations have difficulties operating due to low availability of the liquid, especially in the eastern provinces of Holguín, Las Tunas, Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo and Camagüey, according to Argelio Fernández, director of Hydrology and Hydrogeology of the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INRH).
According to data from that organization managed by the official newspaper GranmaBetween April 1 and 13 of this year, the national accumulated rainfall was 26.1 millimeters (mm). The western region recorded just 16.2 mm; the Center, 35.4 mm; and the Middle, 23.9 mm.
Experts point out that due to climate change droughts are going to become more “recurring and intense”, so the Island must prepare to face this scenario.
In accordance with Granmathe INRH seeks to minimize the impact of the drought on the population –reflected in the low levels of water supply– through a plan that seeks to identify alternative sources for the supply of the liquid, and the promotion of the works that are executed in that sense.
Recently, the deputy prime minister, Inés María Chapman, referred to the fact that in the last 12 months 88% of the average historical value of rainfall has been registered, which has caused a reduction in reservoir and underground water, and has increased the demand for supply by tanker trucks.
In addition, he called for reinforcing initiatives to save water in “all scenarios and for all beneficiaries”, as well as to “anticipate problems and adequately inform” citizens of any changes.
Chapman added that among the forecast measures designed to mitigate the effects of the drought in the state sector and residence is the execution of 206 hydraulic works, including investments and maintenance actions, in order to benefit the supply to 635,986 inhabitants of the 15 provinces of the country.
Among these works is a conductor in Holguín that would bring the water service closer to the population, and the transfer, whose main objective was for agricultural development, but which already has specific destinations for the population, underlines the publication of Granma.
Cuba has been suffering drought cycles in recent years that have a negative impact on the economy and supply to the residential sector. Already at the end of last yearthe experts predicted that the country was heading towards a notable period of drought, based on the poor accumulated rainfall recorded throughout 2021 and the forecasts for the current year.
