Recovery efforts are underway in eastern Cuba following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. The Ministry of Energy and Mines reported that work is ongoing in various cities and communities severely impacted by the hurricane.
In a message shared via social media platform X, Minister Vicente de la O Levy stated that recovery operations are actively addressing the needs of affected areas, including opening routes where access has become challenging. He emphasized, “We will reach everyone. We will move forward and we will prevail.”
The recovery actions encompass restoring electrical services, clearing debris, distributing essential supplies, and providing support to affected families, all coordinated with local governments and Civil Defense authorities. Reports indicate that brigades from several provinces are being dispatched to assist with restoring electricity, which was significantly disrupted due to the hurricane”s impact on infrastructure, crops, and homes.
In a recent meeting of the National Defense Council, officials reaffirmed the Cuban government”s commitment to ensuring no one is left unsupported as recovery efforts progress swiftly.
Railway Damage Reported in Santiago de Cuba
Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, Cuba”s Minister of Transport, addressed the severe damage to railway lines in the eastern province of Santiago de Cuba caused by Hurricane Melissa. He shared details and images highlighting the situation on social media, revealing specific areas of concern.
According to the report from First Deputy Minister Luis Roberto Rosés, the Central Line has been damaged between kilometers 833 and 834.5, affecting both tracks, with sections of the railway reportedly suspended in the air. Additionally, deterioration has been noted on the branch line to the refinery between kilometers 0 and 1. Serious issues were also reported on the Bayamo line, where the embankment was lost near the bridge at kilometer 205.8 in Palma Soriano. Overgrown vegetation along the railway between Palma and San Luis further complicates the transit of trains.
Hurricane Melissa, which reached category three on the Saffir-Simpson scale, traversed the eastern region of Cuba, bringing heavy rainfall and severe coastal flooding. The Institute of Meteorology noted that the hurricane made landfall at Playa El Francés in the municipality of Guamá, located on the southern coast of Santiago de Cuba.
Las Tunas Provides Shelter for Evacuees
The province of Las Tunas has taken significant measures to protect hundreds of residents from the municipality of Río Cauto, who were affected by dangerous flooding in the eastern plains. Local television reported that several evacuation centers have been established in the municipalities of Jobabo, Colombia, and the provincial capital to ensure the safety of those displaced.
In a show of solidarity, the people of Las Tunas have joined local authorities in providing donations of food, hygiene products, and other essential items, complementing state resources allocated for this protective effort. During a nighttime visit to the evacuees, President of the Provincial Defense Council Osbel Lorenzo reassured the affected individuals, stating, “Count on Las Tunas; we may not have much, but we share what we can.”
Currently, shelters remain operational in facilities such as the Carlos Leyva Sports School, the mixed center Simón Bolívar, and the University of Las Tunas, where appropriate logistical and service conditions have been established.
Pinar del Río Produces Poles for Recovery Efforts
In Pinar del Río, two forestry companies are working diligently to cut and transport wood for the production of electrical and telephone poles aimed at supporting recovery in areas affected by Hurricane Melissa. A total of 4,500 poles, ranging from 7.5 to 12 meters in length, are expected to be produced before the end of the year.
Francisco Díaz Roque, director of the pole impregnation plant located in the municipality of Guane, the only facility of its kind in Cuba, explained that the extraction team is currently engaged in felling trees to be used in this project. The Agroforestry Company Guanahacabibes is also contributing to the production of telephone poles.
Díaz Roque detailed that 2,000 units of 7.5 and 9-meter poles will be manufactured for the rehabilitation of networks belonging to the Telecommunications Company of Cuba (Etecsa), along with 2,500 poles of 9, 10, and 12 meters for the Electric Union. Despite having operated at low capacity in recent years due to energy supply constraints, he affirmed that the plant has previously met high production targets in the final months of the year.
To meet the demand for recovery efforts, chainsaws have been activated, and essential support resources are in place. He also noted that recent collaborations with the Tabacuba Business Group have led to the acquisition of a logging tractor and other equipment that enhance productivity and ensure a steady supply of wood to the industry. The international market price for poles typically ranges around $360 each, while local production costs between $130 and $150.
Since its modernization in 2009, the impregnation plant in Pinar del Río has delivered over 1.3 million high-quality poles with an estimated lifespan of 25 to 30 years.
