More than 20 thousand hectares (ha) of various crops were affected by the heavy rain that occurred days ago in eastern Cuba.
The rainfall also caused the death of 159 head of cattle and 126 sheep and goats, according to official sources.
Among the crops that suffered the greatest damage were maize (5,189 ha), cassava (4,742 ha) and squash (3,763 ha), according to a part of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Likewise, others such as sweet potato (1,314 ha), rice (1,308 ha) and to a lesser extent coffee (263 ha) were also affected by the hydrometeorological phenomenon.
In the first 10 days of June, 211.3 millimeters were reported in the eastern region of the country, the highest rainfall record in the country. According to the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources, this figure represents 141% of the historical average.
The meteorological situation was associated with a trough in the middle and upper levels of the troposphere over the Gulf of Mexico and a very humid flow from the south over the central and eastern regions of Cuba. It left extensive damage to homes, infrastructure and roads.
Heavy rains, multiple impacts and notice of environmental damage
Some 450 houses were damaged in the province of Camagüey, while in Santiago at least 22 total collapses were quantified.
The floods also brought to light “bad practices” in the basins that capture the water that feeds them, whether from agriculture (state or private), mining, logging, ongoing or poorly executed works that exacerbate erosion, according to a text shared by the page secret nature on Facebook, linked to CITMA.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Public Health warned about the need to adopt measures to avoid the health risks that come with contamination due to floods.
These events took place at the beginning of the hurricane season, the period in which the greatest amount of rain is concentrated on the island. In addition, they occurred at a time when the country is going through a severe economic crisis, as a result of which the island faces problems with food production and the supply of other basic products.
