Heavy Rains Leave Damage in Sancti Spiritus

HAVANA TIMES — Heavy rains this week drenched the central Cuban province of Sancti Spiritus causing flooding, with damage in over a thousand homes including 47 total collapses, reported Civil Defense authorities.

Agriculture in this highly productive region was also hard hit and the Central Highway suffered damage at the bridge that crosses the Zaza River. Residents living downstream from the huge Zaza Reservoir were evacuated.

The crops affected were sugar cane, rice, tobacco, vegetables and root crops, although the exact extent of losses won’t become known until after the flood water completely receeds.

Some 20,000 head of cattle were evacuated from lowlands in time to avoid further loss..

The authorities were urging calm on Saturday among the population while the weather conditions remain unstable.  On Sunday occasional thunder storms are forecast, noted the Cuban Weather Service, INSMET.