Friday, May 22, 2009

Heavy rain causes flooding in eastern Cuba

Heavy rain causes flooding in eastern Cuba

José A. Torres

SANTIAGO DE CUBA.— The National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INRH)
has activated the early warning system in this province on account of
water run-off, aimed at stepping up precautions and mitigating the
effects of flooding associated with heavy rainfall over the last few days.

All rivers in the province are being monitored on a four-hourly basis to
have precise information on the rate and volume of water flowing down
the rivers and causing flooding in various parts of Holguín, Santiago de
Cuba and Granma.

José Angel Pita, INRH delegate, said that the province's reservoir
capacity was at 96%. On Thursday evening five of the 11 reservoirs in
Santiago de Cuba were relieved.

The draining of the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes and Protesta de Baraguá
Reservoirs – which store 250 million cubic meters of water each – is
being especially supervised, as are rivers flowing into the
south-eastern coastal region, given their potential for marooning
thousands of landholders.

The highest levels of precipitation are being reported in the Tercer
Frente, Santiago de Cuba and Songo La Maya municipalities.

Some100 people remain evacuated in the homes of friends and family
members, while work to clear rubble, sewage systems and drains is
ongoing. Official figures estimate damage to at approximately 100 homes
have been damaged.

granma.cu -Heavy rain causes flooding in eastern Cuba (22 May 2009)

http://www.granma.cu/ingles/2009/mayo/vier22/lluvias.html

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