Cuba is rapidly restoring electricity after Tropical Storm Oscar, which caused significant damage, including six fatalities in San Antonio del Sur. As of Tuesday, over 70% of the nation had regained power, while Guantanamo continues to face challenges due to flooding and mudslides.
Cuba has made significant strides in restoring electricity across various regions, particularly in Havana and surrounding provinces, despite ongoing challenges from the aftermath of Tropical Storm Oscar. The storm, which initially struck as a Category 1 hurricane near Baracoa, was later downgraded to a tropical storm. Nevertheless, it caused extensive damage throughout eastern Cuba, resulting in downed power lines, mudslides, and significant flooding. In a tragic event, a flash flood devastated the small town of San Antonio del Sur early on Monday, leading to the unfortunate deaths of six individuals, including a child. The storm deposited over 10 inches (25 cm) of rain in several locations, inundating farmland, toppling banana plants, and adversely affecting the region’s valuable coffee crop. Parts of Guantanamo remain isolated due to swollen rivers and blocked roads from mudslides, complicating efforts to restore power and communication services. Cuban authorities reported success in stabilizing the electrical grid by mid-afternoon on Tuesday, recovering from a complete nationwide power outage that had affected 10 million residents since Friday due to failures exacerbated by the storm. As of Tuesday, more than 70% of Cuba had regained electricity, with expectations for additional power plants to come back online, further improving service. In Havana, approximately 90% of the population had their electricity restored by midday, largely due to the city being less affected by the storm’s passage. The crisis facing Cuba’s oil-fired power plants, which have been struggling amidst dwindling oil imports from Venezuela, Russia, and Mexico, had already led to a significant grid collapse prior to the storm’s arrival.
The recent impacts of Tropical Storm Oscar have highlighted the vulnerabilities within Cuba’s national electrical grid, which had already been facing challenges due to outdated infrastructure and a decline in oil imports critical for power generation. The storm’s devastation underlined existing flaws, as extensive rainfall and flooding resulted in major power outages, further complicating recovery efforts in affected regions. Additionally, the storm’s toll on agricultural outputs like coffee and bananas emphasizes the far-reaching implications of such weather events on both local economies and food production.
In summary, while Cuba has made commendable efforts in restoring power post-Tropical Storm Oscar, the disaster has exposed underlying issues within the country’s power infrastructure and the pressing need for modernization. The tragic loss of life and significant agricultural damage necessitate comprehensive planning to avert similar setbacks in the future and to fortify the grid against extreme weather events.
Original Source: www.westhawaiitoday.com
