Havana, Aug 25 (Prensa Latina) The tropical storm Isaac approaches the eastern coast of Cuba, a region already affected with rains, which effects may increase in time, reports the Meteorology Institute (Insmet).
During its pass through Haiti overnight the system lost organization and strength, having now max. sustained winds of 95 kph and gust winds, and its max. pressure in the eye rose to 992hP.
The meteor is heading NW at 20kph and its center was estimated at 06.00 local time at 19.2 degrees north latitude and 73.4 degrees west longitude, at 205km E/SE of Guantanamo and 270 km E/SE of Santiago de Cuba.
Isaac, said the Insmet, is to hit south Cuba, between Santiago de Cuba and Guantanamo near noon, with gust winds, swollen waves, moderate floods in low coastal areas.
Over the next 24 to 48 hours, Isaac will move W/NW and NW, with little change in translation speed and will drop intensity in touching Cuban territory.
The forecasts for this tropical storm from the National Forecast Center advice tight tracking through its evolution and future course, and recommends close attention to the next forecasts and Civil Defense orders, though the authorities in /eastern Cuba already work to minimize the potential damages.
Revolutionary Armed Forces Vice Minister, Army Corp General Ramon Espinosa Martin, said the provinces of Guantanamo, Santiago de Cuba, Granma, Holguin, Las Tunas and Camagüey have readied their contingency plans to deal with the storm. After touring those provinces in the wake of the storm, he stressed at a Defense Council in Guantanamo on the need to be cautious, timely and rational at each circumstances to spare human life and the economy.
The also President of the Eastern Strategic Commission extolled the responsibility with which each and every one of those territories enforce their emergency plans while the National TV Newscast broadcast the works to ready the shelters for the residents in risk areas, access to food supplies.
The health brass also guarantee health services and lecture on the hygiene measures at home, namely with drinkable water.
They also study the state of transport, communications and clean-up of canals, ditches and roads.
The Agriculture Ministry is working hard to prevent losses of animals and produces, and to minimise the damages.
Jesus Antonio Rojas Basalo, head of the Agriculture Ministry Chief of Staff, said the 400 companies are ready for the eventualities of such natural phenomena.