A storm of heavy rains, strong winds and electric shocks affected Havana and other areas of western Cuba this Sunday, causing material damage in the capital and power cuts. The forecast that the storm will continue has led the authorities to postpone the events for International Workers’ Day for May 5.
The downpours mainly hit the Cuban capital, where they left flooded streets and a partial collapse in Old Havana with no personal injuries.
In a residential building in the historic center of Havana – located on the streets of Empedrado between Aguacate and Compostela – there was a partial collapse of several balconies and the rubble blocked access to the exit stairway to the street.
In a residential building in the historic center of Havana, located on the streets of Empedrado between Aguacate and Compostela, there was a partial collapse of several balconies
The storm is associated with the arrival of a cold front in the western region of the island, as a report from the Institute of Meteorology (Insmet) had previously warned.
Some main streets of the capital were flooded for an hour and the power supply was unstable throughout the day.
On social networks, residents of provinces such as Artemisa or Cienfuegos also reported heavy rains that ripped off roofs and poles, leaving a multitude of people without electricity.
The events for International Workers’ Day in Cuba have been postponed until May 5 due to “the instability of the weather that has caused heavy rains in various territories and the forecast for the next few hours,” announced the Central de Trabajadores de Cuba. (CTC), organizer of the event.
“In the territories where the meteorological conditions allow it, the planned cultural and recreational activities will be carried out. As established in our legislation, this Monday the work recess will be maintained,” he said in a statement.
Cuba had suspended the traditional May Day parade in the Plaza de la Revolución in Havana, due to the fuel crisis that has been affecting the country for several weeks.
Instead, it had planned for this Monday a central act in the Malecón area of Havana and in parallel it had scheduled commemorative activities in “communities, work and student centers for several days and parades in the country’s municipalities.”
The division among the population to this postponement has been visible. In posts on social networks or comments on articles in the official press, many Cubans have welcomed the government decision in agreement, describing it as prudent.
“With Fidel it was rainy, with the sun heating up, etc. Aren’t we continuity?” summed up one of the many messages
However, numerous users have recalled that a May Day had never been suspended due to rain and have remembered getting wet listening to Fidel Castro’s speeches. “With Fidel it was rainy, with the sun heating up, etc. Aren’t we continuity?” summed up one of many messages.
According to a report published on the Insmet website, the weather conditions in the provinces of Mayabeque and Matanzas have deteriorated in the early hours of this Monday.
Its forecast indicates that the activity of showers and rains will begin to gradually decrease from the early hours of the afternoon in Pinar del Río, while the rest of the archipelago will be partly cloudy and rains are expected in the central region.
Winds from the south and southeast are also forecast, with speeds between 20 and 35 kilometers per hour, and waves on both western coasts that could cause accumulations of water in low-lying areas, including the Havana Malecón, an area prone to flooding when they occur. these weather conditions.
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