Although we are living in exceptional times, the sons and daughters of this combative, generous island will not forego celebrating the date across the nation, even in remote locations and areas hit hard by tropical storm Eta, facing the additional challenge of recovery.

The determination to achieve this objective was made evident during a videoconference with governors held by President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez; Party Central Committee Second Secretary José Ramón Machado Ventura; and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, according to the Presidency’s website.

Without renouncing quality, relevance, logistics and a culture of detail, planned activities will take place primarily in community spaces, respecting all sanitary measures to guarantee epidemiological stability, as established in protocols for each of the phases and stages of the battle against COVID-19.

Deputy Prime Minister Roberto Morales Ojeda presented the proposal for January 1, 2021 as a day of recognition for our health personnel, scientists, youth, and the heroic attitude of our people, with a profound, sincere tribute to our Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro at the center.

(Taken from Granma)

Granma presents provincial reports outlining estimates of the principal damages and impact recorded thus far.

PINAR DEL RÍO

Housing: damage to more than 250 homes, in addition to eight educational centers.

Agriculture: In the municipality of La Palma, a preliminary evaluation noted impact on 30% of cassava plantings, 40% of plantain, and total loss of 700 hectares of corn. Tobacco processing infrastructure suffered damage, but thanks to efforts made to protect 30,000 tons of leaf in curing houses and other locations, no losses were reported.

Electricity: Only 5% of the province awoke with service, given damage caused by high winds to two of the four principal transmission lines, 12 of 15 sub- transmission lines and 110 distribution circuits.

Communications: Given the interruption of electrical service, 39 mobile phone radio bases, 105 wifi hotspots, and some 7,000 landlines were left inoperative.

Water resources: Reservoirs reached an average of 75% capacity and 13 were obliged to open floodgates.

ARTEMISA

Housing: A total of 136 dwellings were affected, with three total losses and two partial in Artemisa, Mariel, Caimito and Alquízar, as well as 37 roofs totally destroyed plus 96 damaged, with the most significant impact in Candelaria, San Cristóbal, Bahía Honda and Artemisa, according to Dargis Tomé Hernández, provincial Housing director.
Damaged plantain fields in the western province of Artemisa. Photo: Otoniel Márquez

Other buildings: Damages reported to roofs at La güireña food processing plant in Güira de Melena, as of that at the San Cristóbal porcine center.

Agriculture: Damage to 2,100 hectares of plantain, 600 hectares of cassava and more than 160 tons of avocado, according to a report to Granma from Tomás Rafael Rodríguez, president of the Agricultural, Livestock and Forestry State Enterprise Group here.

Electricity: Service was interrupted in urban areas of the municipalities of Güira de Melena and Bauta, the latter the most affected within the province, reported Martín de la Concepción Cordero, director of the electric company, with a total of 168 circuits down.

Damage was also significant in rural areas of Caimito, Artemisa, Bahía Honda, Alquízar, with ten utility poles downed. Working on repairs immediately were 18 brigades, in conjunction with two from the Electrical Construction Enterprise, with the support of 23 specialized service vehicles.

Water resources: Two of the province’s reservoirs were obliged to open floodgates, La Coronela, in Caimito, at 99.21% capacity and San Julián, in San Cristóbal, at 99.9%, with the average percentage of capacity filled across the area standing at approximately 60%.

Communications: Some 5,690 landlines were left inoperative, primarily due to interruptions in electrical service, while a number of poles were reported as downed or broken. Of special concern is the impact on 46 radio bases for 2G, 3G and 4G mobile data, limiting access to these services.

LA HABANA

Housing: Preliminary reports indicate partial damage to 32 dwellings, of which six will require major repairs. Luis Antonio Torres Iríbar, president of the Provincial Defense Council emphasized the importance of moving quickly

to resolve problems, as was done following the tornado in January of 2019.

Agriculture: Reports indicate damage to greenhouses for shade crops and seedlings

Other buildings: Commercial installations report damage to roofing.

Electricity: Service on 182 circuits was interrupted. Work crews from the Havana electric company were deployed to affected areas immediately.

Communications: The Cuban Telecommunications Enterprise (Etecsa) reported on its Twitter account that occasional difficulties arose in access to some services, including the*133# multipurpose number, Transfermóvil and calls to certain exchanges.

Recovery: Work began immediately on clearing of streets, tree and branch removal, large item trash collection, and restoration of basic services, including water and gas, as well as the distribution of food and evaluation of damages to dwellings.

MAYABEQUE

Housing: More than 110 homes were damaged during the storm, with 18 total losses identified, 12 in Batabanó, and 87 roofs affected, with six totally destroyed, including one on a building in Quivicán. Other damage was partial.

Other buildings: Roofing on the Cuba-Sweden Friendship Exact Sciences High School in Melena del Sur was affected, while another 14 educational centers in the province suffered partial damage, all of which should be repaired by September 1, when schools are set to open, the Provincial Defense Council (CDP) noted.

Agriculture: Losses identified on more than 2,440 hectares, above all plantain, cassava, and corn fields, plus fruit orchards, while poultry farms report 400 birds killed as a result of collapsed roofs and beams, in addition to the complete destruction of 16 bays.

Electricity: Some 146,000 clients were left without service following damage to 104 circuits, on which 48 brigades of linemen and technicians began work immediately, according to the CDP.

Water resources: The provinces reservoirs were filled to only 29% capacity prior to the storm, with the Mampostón Reservoir at only 5%, and although rainfall associated with the storm was not notably heavy, some 780,000 cubic meters were added.

Recovery: CDP President Yanina de la Nuez Aclich ordered work to begin as soon as possible to harvest ripe produce in the fields and distribute it to the population, to avoid losses, repair damage to recently sown crops and continue scheduled plantings with emphasis on short cycle crops; and called for the rapid completion of repairs to damaged housing.

MATANZAS

Housing: A total of 30 homes suffered partial damage.

Other buildings: Some 27 state institutions were affected, but none seriously, including 10 educational centers which should be repaired before the scheduled re-opening of schools.

Agriculture: No reports of damage.

Electricity: By the afternoon following the storm’s impact on August 25, electrical service had been re-established for 70% of the 139,000 clients affected. All municipal seats had power, with the exception of Jagüey Grande.

Water resources: Despite the wind, the impact of rain within the province was minimal with only four ml of precipitation recorded during the day.

Recovery: Work began immediately on repair of damages in the municipalities of Colón and Ciénaga de Zapata, the most affected.

CIENFUEGOS

Housing: No significant damage to dwellings within the province reported.

Other buildings: Among the educational sector’s 365 institutions, only 14 were affected, along with several retail establishments, restaurants and tourist facilities, all of which can be quickly repaired, while public transportation was able to re-initiate operations August 25.

Agriculture: Major damage was concentrated along the southern coastline and mountainous areas. The livestock farm La Sierrita reported some impact on roofing and fences caused by falling trees, as was the case in other highland areas. Both corn and plantain fields in the Horquita agricultural pole suffered damage, but the crops will be harvested immediately, as is.

Electricity: Some 86 circuits were impacted, but by late on the 25th, 90% of the city of Cienfuegos had power, although the mountain municipality of Cumanayagua continued without service at that time.

Communications: Seven utility poles were reported as downed, while 27 of the province’s 63 wifi hotspots were left inoperative, along with nine of the 67 telephone radio bases. All problems were resolved in short order.

Recovery: The municipality most affected by tropical storm Laura was Cumanayagua, where electric service was interrupted and reports indicate damage to coffee plantations and roofing at schools, bakeries, and Youth Army of Labor camps.

VILLA CLARA

Housing: Some 133 dwellings were reported as damaged, 110 in Manicaragua, including four total losses and nine suffering partial collapse. A total of 103 roofs suffered some damage and 17 were destroyed.

Agriculture: Coffee plantations and fruit orchards in the mountains suffered the main damage, mostly downed trees, with preliminary estimates indicating the loss of some 4,000 bushels of coffee beans.

Electricity: Reported as damaged were 23 utility poles, seven transformers and 37 circuits.

Communications: Some 2,908 telephone landlines were initially affected with most quickly repaired, as was the case with the 11 mobile phone radio bases reported as damaged.

Water resources: A total of 52.4 mm of rainfall was recorded during the storm in Jibacoa, while in Manicaragua municipality, the Hanabanilla reservoir experienced some benefit from light rain.

Recovery: Manicaragua, as a municipality and the town of Jibacoa have the most work to do repairing homes, overhead wiring and coffee plantations, but were able to immediately clear mountain roads obstructed by debris.

SANCTI SPÍRITUS

Housing: Reports indicate that 200 homes were damaged, including three total losses, four partial collapses, with eight house roofs entirely destroyed and 178 suffering damage, including seven on other types of buildings.

Water resources: The Zaza reservoir maintained its operational capacity at 34%, since less than a million cubic meters of water was added during the storm. The total added for all reservoirs in the province was 1.19 million, leaving the total stored at 475.6 million cubic meters, 40% of capacity.

Electricity: Some 67 circuits were affected, the majority repaired in short order.

CIEGO DE ÁVILA

Housing: No damage reported.

Agriculture: No damage reported.

Electricity: 16,000 residents were left temporarily without service, given minor damage to circuits in Venezuela, Ceballos and areas near Patria and Turiguanó in the municipality of Morón; the towns of Gaspar and Baraguá in the municipality of the latter’s name; the Jicotea neighborhood in the provincial capital; and Combinado Minaz, in Ciro Redondo.

Communications: No damage reported.

Water resources: Limited impact.

CAMAGÜEY

Housing: A total of 216 dwellings were reported as affected, the majority (175) involved partial damage to roofs and 27 total losses of roofs, with the most significant damage in the municipalities of Santa Cruz del Sur, Sierra de Cubitas, Florida and Nuevitas.

Other buildings: Damage to a small number of schools, sports facilities, and public health centers were evaluated by authorities as minor and will be repaired by workers at the sites, with the support of other forces from their sectors.

Agriculture: Reports indicate four hectares of plantain lost and minor damage to facilities at poultry farms.

Water resources: Rainfall had little impact on reservoirs.

LAS TUNAS

Housing: Reported were 22 dwellings affected, the majority involving roofing.

Agriculture: No damage to crops or infrastructure reported.

Water resources: The province’s reservoirs remain filled at 50% capacity; the storm had little impact.

Electricity: Some 31 circuits were affected, all quickly repaired, including the replacement of two transformers, with only damaged residential services to be addressed.

Recovery: Forces were mobilized to clear debris and storm sewers, while the majority of basic services were re-established within a short period of time.

HOLGUíN

Housing: A total of 63 dwellings affected, including two complete losses and eight with significant damage. The majority involved roofing.

Agriculture: Damage to 25% of 38 hectares of plantain in the municipality of Banes, with Cueto also reporting damage to plantain fields and irrigation equipment. Roofing at dairy farms in Cueto and Mayarí was affected, as well as calving and office areas.

Electricity: Some 72,965 clients lost service, 19.3% of the province’s total. The municipalities most affected were Mayarí, Cacocum and Cueto, as a result of damage to three 110 kv circuits, fourteen 33 kv and 12 primary lines, as well as 87 transformers.

Water resources: The most significant rainfall was reported in Monte Alto (61 mm) and Mir (51 mm), in Calixto García; Veinte Rosas (5 mm), Urbano Noris, and Pinares de Mayarí (43.8 mm). The province’s reservoirs were filled to 73.1% capacity, with only Birán obliged to open floodgates.

GRANMA

Housing: More than 100 dwellings were reported as affected, mostly minor damage to roofing and walls.

Electricity: Service was impacted in rural areas in the municipalities of Pilón, Media Luna, Guisa, Yara and Bartolomé Masó, where cresting rivers initially limited access for Electric Company repair crews.

Agriculture: The roof at the coffee processing facility in the municipality of Buey Arriba was destroyed, and 17,000 plantain trees were uprooted in Pilón.

Water resources: An average of 56 ml of rainfall was reported across the province, adding 90.2 million cubic meters of water to reservoirs, now holding 46% of capacity.

SANTIAGO DE CUBA

Agriculture: Some 2,000 bushels of coffee beans are reported on the ground in the municipality of San Luis, which pickers have been mobilized to collect, while 200 hectares of cassava and plantain were affected, in the Songo-La Maya agricultural pole of Los Reynaldos, which must be harvested ahead of schedule.

Housing: A commission of specialists is touring the province’s nine municipalities to determine damage, as well as the cause of two fires, one in the provincial capital’s central historic district that affected offices of the Poultry Enterprise and an apartment building, and another in a supply warehouse at Pepito Tey Polytechnical High School, which experts from the Ministry of the Interior are also investigating.

Electricity: Interruptions of service in the municipalities of Segundo Frente, Tercer Frente, Contramaestre and Guamá were repaired quickly, with more serious damage reported in 81 other areas, including 63 locations in the provincial capital, where power is urgently needed to pump water, with Cayo Granma prioritized.

Communications: Utility poles and lines were downed in the city of Santiago de Cuba, along with four radio bases providing telephone service.

Water resources: Prior to the storm, the provinces reservoirs were filled to 50% capacity, which rose to 67% with the addition of more than 100 million cubic meters of water from rainfall associated with Laura.

GUANTÁNAMO

Housing: Fifteen total losses were reported, with 13 homes suffering major damage, and 200 less significantly, including 44 roofs lost.

Other buildings: A total of 80 were impacted, including 44 schools, most reporting damage to roofing. Provincial director of Education Raquel Laviste Villafruela reported that repairs at schools will be completed quickly.

Electricity: All municipalities reported damage, including 62 poles down, and 21 transformers destroyed. The electric company’s provincial director, Joaquín Díaz Cantillo, told Granma that service was re-established for 91% of clients in short order.

Agriculture: Some 1,258 hectares of crops were damaged, along with 722 of coffee in Maisí, Yateras, Imías and El Salvador.

Water resources: The provinces reservoirs were filled to 42.5% capacity prior to the storm, rising by an additional 1.2 % as a result of rainfall associated with Laura.

ISLE OF YOUTH

Housing: No damage reported to homes or other buildings.

Agriculture: No significant losses.

Water resources: Rainfall on the island was minimal, with reservoirs remaining at 73% of capacity.

Electricity: Twelve circuits were affected, leaving approximately 11,000 residents temporarily without service.

The Maritime-Port Enterprise Group (Gemar) suspended maritime transportation briefly due to meteorological conditions, restoring cargo transport between Batabanó, Nueva Gerona and Cayo Largo del Sur by 4:00 pm, August 25.

(Source: Granma)

The provinces most affected were Camagüey, Ciego de Ávila, Sancti Spíritus and Villa Clara. Others such as Guantánamo, Holguín, Las Tunas, Cienfuegos, Matanzas, Mayabeque, and La Habana also suffered damage.

Defense Councils remain activated in the provinces of La Habana, Matanzas, Villa Clara, Cienfuegos, Sancti Spíritus, Ciego de Ávila, Camagüey, Las Tunas and Holguín; as well as 57 Municipal Defense Councils in these provinces, with the responsibility of organizing the recovery work.

Based on preliminary data provided by the National Statistics and Information

Office (ONEI), and the reports made daily by the three chief officers of the Strategic Regions to the president of the National Defense Council, we can report the following:

Of the 1,863,589 persons sheltered during the passage of Hurricane Irma,

11,689 continue to receive state support in the form of food and other resources of basic necessity, in Ciego de Ávila, Camagüey, Villa Clara, Holguín, Sancti Spíritus, La Habana, Las Tunas, Matanzas, and Guantánamo.

Reports indicate that 158,554 homes were affected: 14,657 were totally destroyed and 16,646 partially; while 23,560 lost their entire roofs and 103,691 suffered some roof damage.

To respond to this situation, the government decided that the state budget would finance 50% of the cost of construction materials sold to persons facing the total or partial destruction of their homes.

Likewise to be awarded is a 50% discount on current retail prices for consumer goods of basic necessity, for the population affected, among these are mattresses, personal hygiene products, cooking equipment, and linens. In cases of greater need, 100% of the cost of some items will be covered.

Additionally, existing supplies of these resources and materials within the retail network were frozen, and placed at the disposal of provincial Defense Councils to prioritize their distribution to those affected by the hurricane.

In the wake of Hurricane Irma, some 900 stands selling prepared food, at moderate prices, were established in impacted areas. Likewise, neighborhood stores and retail outlets were relocated, to maintain sales of items included in the subsidized family basket, as well as other market items.

Immediately following the extreme weather event, a variety of donations began to arrive, from governments, friendship associations, companies, non-government organizations, universities, and religious institutions, among others.

These demonstrations of solidarity, for which we express gratitude in the name of the Cuban people and government, complement our country’s efforts to repair the damage. Items will be delivered to those affected, through established systems, free of cost, of course.

Distribution of construction materials has also been strengthened, with the use of resources on hand in the country, and the support of local industry. Organizational measures adopted include expanding the network of sales outlets, to provide easy access by those affected, along with the appropriate selection and training of personnel.

The national electricity grid is practically restored, and 99.9% of consumers are now receiving service, despite the fact that damage occurred in almost the entire country: two high tension pylons were completely destroyed; 3,616 poles and 2,176 kilometers of lines downed; 1,379 transformers damaged, along with 1,300 kilometers of service lines and ten sub-stations.

Provinces still facing interruptions in electrical service are Villa Clara, Sancti Spíritus, Ciego de Ávila, and Camagüey, functioning at 98%. Today, September 29, we expect to largely conclude the reestablishment of the country’s primary and secondary circuits.

Worthy of special mention, in the process of reestablishing the country’s electrical system, is the work of mixed brigades, created in the most affected provinces to carry out clean-up, pruning, opening of trenches, and hauling of utility poles.

In the communications sector, it was principally the telephone system which suffered damage, with the interruption of service to 246,707 land lines, and 1,471 data lines. Also damaged were 312 cell phone transmission stations, 27 towers, and 4,764 poles. To date, 95.3% of telephone and data services, radio and television broadcasting, have been reestablished.

Regarding roads and highways, some 537 kilometers were affected. The most serious damage was to causeways to tourist facilities on the keys Santa María and Coco, on which traffic can now move, while work continues to complete their full repair.

Coastal flooding affected a section of the Vía Blanca highway, in Mayabeque, as well as the Havana Bay, Fifth Avenue, and Línea tunnels in the capital, which required continuous work to extract the large volumes of water accumulated within them. The reestablishment of the technical systems of these important Havana routes was achieved within only 13 days, and this coming weekend, traffic will again flow on the Malecón, which was also seriously damaged.

Despite the impact on educational centers, the academic year has been re-initiated across the country, thanks to the repair of a number of schools and the use of alternative sites in the most affected areas.

Of the 980 healthcare institutions damaged, 289 have been repaired, while maintaining the system’s operations and continuing to provide vital services to the population. Additionally, a stable epidemiological situation has been maintained, although prioritized attention to this issue must continue.

In agriculture, the principal impact was concentrated on poultry farming, with

466 sites damaged. Some of these 348 are again ready for operations. Some 95,000 hectares of various crops were hit by Hurricane Irma, of which 35,000 have been recuperated. Noteworthy among these are 20 hectares of plantain. Also developing are new plantings of short cycle crops, sowed with the goal of supplying these products to the population.

The sugar industry reports that 338,000 hectares of cane were damaged, mostly in Camagüey, Ciego de Ávila, Villa Clara, and Matanzas. Some 180,000 have already been recovered and work is underway on the rest, with damages estimated at three to 20%.

Intense work is also underway to repair 20 sugar mills located in northern Camagüey, Ciego de Ávila and Villa Clara, — which constitute 40% of national capacity— where damage was primarily to roofing.

In tourism, despite the damages, staff has worked hard to allow all tourist poles in the country to now be offering services, with the exception of those located on keys to the north of Villa Clara and Ciego de Ávila, which will begin operations by the beginning of the high season, with all facilities ready by November 15.

The rains that accompanied Hurricane Irma favored the water situation on the island, which has faced a serious, prolonged drought for over three years. Precipitation accumulated during September thus far has reached 256.4 millimeters, representing 137% of the historic average for this month. Provinces receiving the most rain were Sancti Spíritus, Camagüey, Ciego de Ávila and Villa Clara, while those which benefited the least are Artemisa and La Habana, as well as the Isle of Youth Special Municipality.

Reservoirs now hold 6.302 billion cubic meters of water, equivalent to 68.4% of full capacity.

In terms of the distribution network, 99% of aqueducts are in working order. Four systems continue to be interrupted: three in Camagüey and one in Villa Clara, affecting 6,961 persons, who are being supplied water with tank trucks.

Work continues on the preparation of reports estimating the value of damages, under the direction of ONEI. Also underway are studies of the environmental impact of the disaster, led by the Environmental Agency.

The National Defense Council recognizes the outstanding work done by the Strategic Regions and Provincial, Municipal, and Zone Defense Councils. Likewise outstanding was the support and discipline of the population, that in conjunction with mass organizations and other bodies, has worked arduously in the hygienic and sanitary clean up, actions in which the participation of the Ministries of Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Interior was also significant. In order for the country to repair hurricane damage in the shortest period of time possible, it is imperative that we maintain the joint work and spirit of struggle that has always characterized our combative people.

(Granma)

“This has been possible thanks to the support we’ve had from the mixed brigades, which together with UE staff have worked non-stop over recent days. We are talking about 764 people who have been working every day across each of the most affected areas,” he stated.
Guerra highlighted that Villa Clara and Ciego de Ávila continue to suffer the worst damage, above all in coastal areas which were severely impacted by the hurricane.

“At this time, Camajuaní, Remedios, and Encrucijada are the most affected municipalities in Villa Clara. 191 UE workers are laboring there to restore power as soon as possible. Meanwhile, the municipalities of Chambas, Bolivia, and Ciro Redondo suffered the most damage in Ciego,” he explained.

Despite the extent of damage, directors of the Electrical Union assured that work in the affected provinces should conclude by September 30.

“However, let us state that once repairs are completed, some problems to services could persist – which will be resolved by brigades from each province – as strong winds could have caused shorts in conductors,” stated the technical director.

Guerra went on to note that the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant, the largest of its kind in the country and the most severely affected by Hurricane Irma, began to generate power on the evening of September 25.

“Remember, the generating facility has been out of operation causing some problems with electrical service. However, the start-up process will be initiated this Monday (September 25) evening or in the early hours of this Tuesday (September 26), putting the system in a better position to begin generating power,” he stated.

(Cubadebate)

Speaking with residents of Villa Blanca and Isabela de Sagua, he encouraged the group, emphasizing that, this time, many areas throughout the country were impacted, making it difficult to provide immediate solutions to basic problems everywhere, including those regarding housing, water, and electricity, tasks which are being afforded maximum priority.

In a conversation with Caibarién native Mirtha Suárez, Lazo said that the country has the organizational capability and the basic resources to successfully address the challenge, which requires the participation of all Cubans, with discipline, organization, and hard work.

Later, in an exchange with María Caridad Monteagudo and Juan Carlos Huet, residents of Isabela, Lazo insisted on the importance of learning from the tragedy, to use the experience gained in other situations because climate change is real, although no weather event is exactly like another. He emphasized the need to analyze how we construct, how we fasten roofing, what crops we plant, when we prune trees to protect utility lines, and many other issues that played a role in the magnitude of damages.

Several neighbors in the coastal community thanked the government for the prompt, well-organized way they were evacuated, preventing any loss of life, as well as the support provided this town devastated by Irma.

In Sancti Spíritus, Lazo also called for work to be done with discipline and organization, to avoid wasting resources on non-priority tasks.

A event of this magnitude can only be confronted with the unity of all, he said during a meeting with authorities in the municipality of Yaguajay, where he called for redoubling efforts during the recovery phase, and not renouncing plans on any front.

“I congratulate the people of Yaguajay and of Sancti Spíritus in general, because we can see that you prepared, in accordance with plans made for every phase, and today are maintaining a good pace in the recovery period,” Lazo said, while calling for an increase in local production of construction materials, needed to repair the damage caused by the hurricane in this part of the country, to homes in particular.

Accompanied by Ana María Mari Machado, vice president of the National Assembly, Lazo toured several neighborhoods in the city of Yaguajay and surrounding areas, where he asked about electrical and communications services, as well as the state of healthcare and educational facilities, the focus of recovery efforts.

In both provinces, the President of Cuba’s Parliament was accompanied by leaders of local defense councils.

(Granma)