(EFE).- The recent passage of Hurricane Ian through western Cuba caused the total collapse of 38 houses in Havana, as well as partial damage and damage to the roofs of another 1,131 houses, the government of the capital reported on Tuesday.
In the first total count of Ian’s ravages in Havana, the governor of the territory, Reynaldo García Zapata, also pointed out that 100% of the city’s electrical system was affected and 17,760 people were evacuated from danger zones in shelters. state and in family homes.
García Zapata indicated that the lines and circuits affected by the electricity service were restored to 100% in the seven days until Tuesday, although 8 poles and 20 transformers are still pending replacement.
Housing and electricity received the greatest impact from Ian’s hurricane winds, which a week ago crossed Pinar del Río province, the westernmost province of the island, from south to north, where it caused great damage and extended its severe effects to its neighbors. Artemisa, Havana and Mayabeque.
This blow to the electrical system caused a general blackout throughout the country and aggravated the situation that for several months has generated daily power cuts throughout the country due to breakages and failures.
This blow to the electrical system caused a general blackout throughout the country and aggravated the situation that for several months has generated daily power cuts throughout the country due to breakages and failures in the outdated thermoelectric plants, lack of fuel and scheduled maintenance.
The lack of power for several consecutive days has led to protests in several neighborhoods of Havana, and also in the provinces of Camagüey, Holguín and Guantánamo.
The demonstrators banged pots, blocked traffic avenues and sat down to demand electricity and, in some cases, shouted political demands. The independent media outlet Proyecto Inventario has registered 55 protests, most of them in Havana.
In addition, activists have reported 26 arrests – including at least one minor – and denounced that the security forces and plainclothes agents used violence against the protesters.
The scourge of Hurricane Ian, the first to hit Cuba in the current cyclone season, left five dead and extensive material damage, only partially quantified until now.
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