HAVANA, Nov 8 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) — Pres Miguel Díaz-Canel reported that so far no loss of human lives has been reported as a consequence of the lashing of Cuba by the intense hurricane Rafael.
In a meeting of the National Defence Council, the president of that body indicated that the priority is now focused on recovery measures in the western provinces of Artemisa, Havana and Mayabeque, the most affected territories, and emphasised the importance of providing information to the population.
It was confirmed at the working meeting that Artemisa has been most affected, especially hospitals, schools, service centres, houses, roofs and electricity lines.
Meanwhile, in Mayabeque, the damage is reported mainly in agriculture: bananas and cassava.
The special municipality of Isla de la Juventud suffered the impact of Rafael on housing and the infrastructure of state institutions, but the greatest damage was reported in Cayo Largo de Sur.
In Havana, some 77 homes, 21 educational centres and seven hospitals were affected, and damage to trees and electrical connections is still being assessed.
According to the meeting, no damage was reported in Pinar del Río, where brigades are preparing to help in neighbouring provinces.
Meanwhile, the Cuban Aviation Corporation (CACSA) announced the reestablishment of services and operations at the airports of Havana, Varadero, Cienfuegos and Villa Clara, which were interrupted by Hurricane Rafael.
The company reported on its social media that the aforementioned air terminals resumed their activities from midday on Thursday, information also confirmed by the island’s Minister of Transportation, Eduardo Rodriguez.
Passengers who had planned to travel on the days of the suspension of services, should contact the agency or airline with which they purchased the ticket to reschedule their trip, CACSA said in its communication.
Last Tuesday, the Ministry of Transport decided to suspend service and operations at several Cuban international airports, due to the bad weather conditions generated by Rafael, which made landfall in the west of the island on Wednesday afternoon as a category three hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale, with wind gusts of up to 190 kms/h.
The measure affected airport facilities in Nueva Gerona (Isla de la Juventud), Cayo Largo del Sur, Havana and Varadero (Matanzas), which were later joined by the international airports of Villa Clara and Cienfuegos. — NNN-PRENSA LATINA
