A car was left submerged on a Havana street this Friday after heavy rains battered the Cuban capital over the past 48 hours. This incident was reported by a Cuban netizen who shared images and videos of the event in the Facebook group ‘Accidents Buses & Trucks’.
“During yesterday’s downpour, near the Cerro Vehicle Registry,” the user indicated in their post, pinpointing the scene near the Havana Vehicle Registry located on Calzada de 10 de Octubre between San Leonardo and San Beatriz streets.
The footage captured by the netizen showed a large pool of water nearly a meter deep, filled with floating trash, plastic containers, bags, and other debris. The submerged car was parked right in front of a sign that read "No Dumping Trash".
Several users who commented on the post highlighted the floating layer of garbage and attributed the street’s clogged drains to the accumulation of waste on Cuba’s streets.
The current energy crisis and the limited number of vehicles available to perform community services in the capital are having a considerable impact on the daily lives of Cubans. In recent times, there has been a notable increase in infectious hotspots and garbage accumulation in the city streets.
This Friday, the Cuban Institute of Meteorology (INSMET) issued a warning for heavy rains and strong winds in the western and central parts of the country.
A special note signed by the director of the institution, Miriam Teresita Llanez, explained that the island was under an anticyclonic influence in the Atlantic, which imposed a humid flow in the lower levels of the troposphere. Adding to this was the presence of an upper trough over the Gulf of Mexico, which, along with tropical waves south of Cuba, would favor the occurrence of showers, rains, and thunderstorms.
Therefore, INSMET indicated that favorable meteorological conditions for rainfall would persist over the next few days, mainly in the central and western regions. These conditions are expected to continue through Saturday, Sunday, and into the next week, making the rains heavy and intense. Furthermore, it was clarified that these conditions are normal for this time of year, making June, on average, the rainiest month in Cuba.
Impact of Torrential Rains in Havana
On Thursday, shocking images of the floods in Havana emerged, caused by these torrential rains. "Trash bins, waste, young people playing and bathing in the floods in the Cerro municipality in Havana today," described witnesses of the images on social media.
In addition to the rain’s impact, other consequences include the collapse of dilapidated and abandoned buildings by the authorities. The heavy rains on Thursday caused the collapse of a building in Old Havana, according to reports published on social media.
Specifically, the La Tijera page on Facebook reported the collapse of the building located at Esperanza number 417, between Carmen and Figuras streets, which had been at risk of collapsing for years according to local residents.
FAQs on Havana's Recent Torrential Rains
Given the recent heavy rains in Havana, many residents have questions about the cause and impact of these weather conditions. Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers:
What caused the recent heavy rains in Havana?
The recent heavy rains in Havana were caused by an anticyclonic influence in the Atlantic, combined with an upper trough over the Gulf of Mexico and tropical waves south of Cuba.
How long are the heavy rains expected to last?
The heavy rains are expected to continue through the weekend and into the next week, with conditions being typical for this time of year in Cuba.
What impact have the rains had on Havana's infrastructure?
The rains have caused significant flooding, garbage accumulation, and the collapse of dilapidated buildings in various parts of Havana.
How are the local authorities responding to the flooding and debris?
Local authorities are struggling to manage the flooding and debris due to the ongoing energy crisis and a limited number of vehicles for community services.