Province most affected by hurricane advances in its recovery

HAVANA, Cuba, Oct 18 (ACN) The country's recovery efforts after the passage of hurricane Ian are focused on the province of Pinar del Rio, where priority is given to the removal of all damages, the repair of homes and the restoration of electricity service.

This was stated on Monday by the first secretary of the Central Committee of the Cuban communist party and president of the country, Miguel Diaz-Canel, during the recovery follow-up meeting, which also insisted on continuing to address the problems of communities that were already in a situation of vulnerability even before the hurricane hit.

In its report, the presidency states that the electric service in the province, strongly hit by the hurricane last September 27, has been reestablished at 55.31 %, with the 11 municipal capitals connected to the National Electric System.

According to the president of the provincial defense council, Yamile Ramos Cordero, the municipalities where the situation is more favorable are Mantua (with 100 % recovered), Sandino (98 %) and Los Palacios (96 %); the most complex scenario is in San Juan and Martinez, where only 20 % has been restored, and in San Luis, which at the close of Monday was at 26 %.

Regarding water supply, the official specified that out of 175 water sources in Pinar del Rio, 142 are working, with a complex situation, especially in the capital city.

When updating the housing situation, she informed that 104,958 houses are reported to be affected, 13,174 of which correspond to total collapses and that 1,896 houses had been recovered as of Monday.

In relation to communications, the president of the provincial defense council stated that mobile telephony has been reestablished at 99.2 %, and landline at 78 %.

Ramos Cordero pointed out that 5,252 people continue evacuated; rehabilitation work is progressing in the schools where it has not been possible to resume the school year, and 70% of the urban agricultural areas have been recovered.