Hurricane Melissa has left a significant mark on eastern Cuba, prompting extensive recovery efforts across the affected regions. Authorities from the Ministry of Energy and Mines announced that work continues in various cities and communities severely impacted by the hurricane”s passage.
In a recent post on the social media platform X, the minister, Vicente de la O Levy, stated that recovery operations are well underway, with efforts focused on restoring access to areas that have become difficult to reach. “We will reach everyone. We will move forward, and we will prevail!” he expressed in his message.
The recovery actions encompass restoring electrical service, clearing debris, distributing essential supplies, and supporting affected families, coordinated with Civil Defense organizations and local governments. Reports indicate that brigades from several provinces are deploying to assist in restoring electrical services, which were damaged by the hurricane that also affected infrastructure, crops, and homes.
During a recent meeting of the National Defense Council, authorities reaffirmed the Cuban government”s commitment to ensure that no one is left without assistance and to expedite the recovery process.
Severe Damage to Railways Reported
Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, the Cuban Minister of Transportation, shared on Saturday the extensive damage to railway lines in Santiago de Cuba following the hurricane”s passage. Through his Facebook profile, Rodríguez Dávila relayed messages and images from First Deputy Minister Luis Roberto Rosés, detailing the specific impacts on the railway infrastructure in the region.
According to Rosés, the Central Line has been affected between kilometers 833 and 834.5, with several segments suspended in mid-air. He also highlighted damage to the branch leading to the refinery, as well as significant issues on the Bayamo line, where the embankment was lost at the bridge approach located at kilometer 205.8 in Palma Soriano. Additionally, he noted the presence of thick vegetation along the railway between Palma and San Luis, further complicating rail traffic.
Hurricane Melissa, which reached category three on the Saffir-Simpson scale, struck the eastern region with heavy rains and strong cyclonic surges. The Institute of Meteorology reported that the storm made landfall at El Francés beach 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 is actively working to provide protection to hundreds of residents from the municipality of Río Cauto, who are facing 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 affected individuals.
In a show of solidarity, the people of Las Tunas have joined efforts with authorities by donating food, toiletries, and other essential resources to complement the state”s protective measures. During a night visit with evacuees, Council President Osbel Lorenzo reaffirmed the support of the community, stating, “Count on Las Tunas; we may not have much, but we share what we have.” Currently, shelters remain operational at facilities such as the Carlos Leyva Sports Institute, the mixed center Simón Bolívar, and the University of Las Tunas, where necessary logistical and service conditions have been established.
Pinar del Río”s Production of Utility Poles
In Pinar del Río, two forestry companies are working diligently to cut and transport wood for the production of electrical and telephone poles intended to support recovery efforts in areas affected by Hurricane Melissa. The province aims to manufacture 4,500 poles ranging from 7.5 to 12 meters in length before the end of the year.
Francisco Díaz Roque, director of the pole impregnation plant in the municipality of Guane, the only facility of its kind in the country, explained that the extraction brigade is currently engaged in tree harvesting for this purpose. The Agroforestry Company Guanahacabibes is also contributing to the supply of poles for telecommunications. The director noted that 2,000 units of 7.5 and 9-meter poles will be produced for the Cuban Telecommunications Company (Etecsa), while 2,500 poles of varying lengths will be designated for the Electric Union.
Despite operating at low levels in recent years due to energy carrier limitations, Díaz Roque remains optimistic about meeting the demand for recovery assistance in the eastern region, emphasizing that the plant has previously achieved similar production targets in the past. He also mentioned the recent acquisition of a harvester and a front loader with a grabber, which will enhance productivity and maintain stable wood flows to the industry.
Internationally, the price of poles hovers around 360 dollars each, while local production costs between 130 and 150 dollars. Since its modernization in 2009, the Pinar del Río impregnation plant has provided over 1.3 million high-quality poles, with a durability estimated between 25 and 30 years.
