Cuba activated its plans for preventive measures to reduce the risk of disasters caused by meteorological events such as the persistent rains that hit the west and flooded low-lying areas of the capital, it was announced today.

The chief of the General Staff of the Cuban Civil Defence, Major General Ramón Pardo Guerra, observed the decisions taken in Havana to face the current meteorological situation that is causing flooding in arteries close to the capital’s coastline.

During the meeting, held by videoconference, the Cuban News Agency (ACN) reported that actions were taken to preserve the lives and property of the people.

Pardo Guerra and the main political and governmental authorities in Havana reviewed the fulfilment of the plans of measures which, among other decisions, prioritise the cleaning of roads, unblocking of drains, collection of solid waste and attention to areas identified as flood areas.

According to the head of the Civil Defence (CD) in Havana, Lieutenant Colonel Yunier Hernández, they reviewed the vitality of the protection and food processing centres that will provide services to people who require them.

Likewise, the DC body in the capital – where more than two million Cubans live – checked the vitality of the electricity supply to hospitals, polyclinics, surgeries and blood banks, as part of the measures being taken at this stage of prevention.

Hernández also reported on the follow-up to the pruning of trees, cleaning of the main avenues of the capital, as well as the rest of the activities to be carried out.

The National General Staff of the Civil Defence in Cuba urged the population to comply with the guidelines of this body and the Institute of Meteorology and to keep informed through the official media.