Cubans on the Isle of Youth Brace for Intense Rains

Havana, Sept 23 (ACN) Authorities in the Special Municipality of Isle of Youth, south of Cuba’s mainland, are taking urgent action to safeguard human lives and economic property in the face of imminent torrential rains linked to a wide low- pressure area moving near the south-western portion of Cuba.

The local weather center alerted the population that the low pressure area could develop into a tropical storm over the next few days, as it moves Northwest on the western Caribbean Sea the southeastern Gulf of Mexico.

Navigation conditions are expected to deteriorate over the next few hours with strong winds from the South which could lead to rising sea levels in the Batabano Gulf, south of Havana; this poses a risk of coastal flooding.
Communist Party leader in the Isle of Youth Osbel Lorenzo activated disaster risk reduction plans and gave indications to paralyze maritime operations and protect harbor merchandise.

All workers in the activities of fishing, tourism and others who are in high sea have been call back home, while the collection and distribution of agricultural products and the safeguarding of cattle herds in high areas are now underway.

Other actions include preparing hospital capacities for hemodialysis patients and pregnant women in risk, said the municipal health care director Doctor Barbara Daundinot.

While weather conditions deteriorate all passenger transportation will be paralyzed and schools closed, authorities reported and called on the people to keep informed about civil defense actions.lc