Cuba today consolidates actions to protect the population and economic resources in the face of the next onslaught of tropical storm Rafael to the west of the island.
According to the president of the National Defence Council, Miguel Díaz-Canel, the country has worked with time, there is experience, and it is prepared, organised and in a position to face the storm, which could hit the island in the next 48 hours.
In a meeting to check on preparations for the weather contingency, held the day before, the Cuban president also called for an increase in preventive actions in areas at risk and difficult to access that could be isolated.
He called for constant monitoring of the state of dams and reservoirs, and instructed that all management centres be put into operation and that alternatives for informing the population be strengthened, including the use of loudspeakers and direct communication with the people.
It also ordered to take stock of the resources available in each territory and to have brigades of electricity, water and construction workers ready to start recovery work as soon as possible.
He urged to maintain vigilance along the coasts in case of possible sea penetration, and to harvest as much as possible before the storm passes, increase tree trimming and drainage in cities and towns, and intensify solid waste collection, among other measures.
At the meeting, the governors of the provinces that are in the cyclone alert phase referred to the actions related to the evacuation of people, the cleaning of sewers, the readiness of evacuation centres and medical brigades, the protection of fishermen and their boats, among other measures.
For her part, the governor of Guantánamo, Alis Azahares, reported on the preparations for dealing with the rains affecting this eastern province, which was hit by Hurricane Oscar a few days ago.
She explained that more than 40,000 people had been evacuated and referred in particular to the municipality of San Antonio del Sur, where all the families have been protected.
