On Monday, the expanded National Defense Council continued its systematic monitoring of the progress of work to repair the damage caused by Hurricane Melissa in Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, Granma, and Holguín, where the restoration of electricity, water supply, telecommunications, and other basic services is advancing, but much remains to be done before the people can return to their daily lives.
The exchange, which took place via videoconference with the authorities of the affected territories, was led by the First Secretary of the Party Central Committee and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, President of the National Defense Council. It was moderated by the member of the Political Bureau and Prime Minister, Manuel Marrero Cruz.
The restoration of electricity service in the eastern region was one of the topics widely discussed. The Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy, reported that in Las Tunas, service covers 99.95% of customers; in Guantánamo, 96.45%; in Holguín, 79.76%; and in Granma, 73.44%.
The restoration of electricity in Santiago de Cuba has reached 29.23%, a figure that is still low due to the extensive damage suffered by the distribution lines and the complexity of their rehabilitation, which is why the greatest efforts are concentrated in this province.
He explained that in the coming hours, all substations in the province should be energized by the National Electric System (SEN), which will allow for a leap in performance.
A priority for colleagues in the electricity system is the municipality of Santiago de Cuba, with 187,000 customers, where damage to distribution lines is extensive due to fallen trees, with serious effects on poles, power lines, and other infrastructure.
In response to a question from the Cuban president, the Minister of Energy and Mines explained that 100% of customers in the Hero City should have service this week; in other municipalities, the situation is also complex, but in all of them, thanks to the energization of the substations, they will have a certain level of service starting this Tuesday.
Santiago de Cuba is a priority for electrical workers; brigades from other provinces will continue to arrive to support the work. Currently, 3,746 workers are working on the power lines in the eastern region, and more men will continue to be sent to the indomitable province.
In the municipality of Guamá, Vicente de la O Levy explained, the distributed generation motor that was moved there is already installed and operational.
On the Báguanos-Bayamo distribution line, where six high-voltage towers were knocked down by the hurricane, work is continuing tirelessly, including the use of FARs equipment due to the difficulty of accessing them as a result of the damage left by Melissa.
In Holguín, it is estimated that by the beginning of next week, very few customers will remain without service; in Granma, the seven flooded substations have been recovered and the one in Río Cauto is already heating up.
In this province, a jump in service of around 6% is expected in the coming hours; in Guantánamo, the main limitations are in the mountains and isolated areas.
WATER SUPPLY AND OTHER SERVICES
Regarding the water supply, the president of the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources, Antonio Rodríguez Rodríguez, commented that all infrastructure has been restored in Las Tunas.
In Holguín, 83% of the population receives service through the usual channels; in Guantánamo, 96%; in Granma, 55%; and in Santiago de Cuba, 57%, with 45% through networks and the rest through water trucks.
In Holguín, work is being done on pipelines, such as a new 9.5 km pipeline that is being built, and others are being repaired. Equipment is also being added that will increase supply both here and in the rest of the territories.
In Santiago de Cuba, for example, the work carried out on Quintero 1 and 2 will increase the water flow by more than 1,500 liters/second, more than they had before Melissa struck.
At Monday's meeting of the National Defense Council, the subgroups of the Economic and Social Body also reported. In Food, the Minister of Domestic Trade, Betsy Díaz Velázquez, commented on the assurance of rice in the basic food basket, among other products, for the inhabitants of the provinces most affected by the cyclone.
It was also announced that 21 tractors and other equipment had been sent to support the recovery of agriculture in Santiago de Cuba, as well as chainsaw devices that are being used to cut fallen trees.
In the affected areas, some 13,000 hectares of crops, such as plantains, cassava, and coffee, have been recovered.
At the meeting, which was attended by authorities from the provincial defense councils of Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, Granma, and Holguín, representatives from the transportation, industry, health, education, and international cooperation groups, among others, also reported.
It was also reported that tens of thousands of roofing materials, such as asbestos cement and zinc tiles, and other construction materials were being made available to the affected areas.
INFORMATION NOTE NO. 8 FROM THE NATIONAL CIVIL DEFENSE GENERAL STAFF ON HURRICANE MELISSA
It was decided that as of 5:00 p.m. on November 10, the Recovery Phase would be established for the municipalities of Río Cauto and Cauto Cristo in the province of Granma, and that the province of Las Tunas would return to normal; the Granma municipalities of Pilón, Niquero, Media Luna, and Campechuela; the municipalities of Maisí, Baracoa, and Imías in the province of Guantánamo; and Calixto García in the province of Holguín.
The other municipalities affected by Hurricane Melissa will continue in the Recovery Phase, under the direction of their respective Defense Councils.
The work carried out by the management bodies, the media, and the population is recognized for the discipline and solidarity shown in complying with the measures taken during the preparations and response to this event.
National Civil Defense General Staff
