Over a week has passed since the nationwide blackout that plunged all of Cuba into darkness, yet the water supply issues persist in San Miguel del Padrón. The state-owned company, Aguas de La Habana, announced on Saturday that the Popular Council of San Francisco de Paula remains particularly affected.
The company's statement on Facebook highlighted that the water supply has been inconsistent due to daily power outages at the Loma del Cielo Pumping Station, preventing the restoration of services in this part of Havana. To alleviate the water scarcity, essential services in the municipality are being supplemented with water delivered by tanker trucks. However, this measure falls short of meeting the population's needs, as noted by the state entity.
Power Outage Wreaks Havoc Across the Island
The collapse of the nation's electrical system, leaving Cuba without power for five days, has caused severe disruptions across various provinces. In the eastern parts of the island, several communities remain without electricity, facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis exacerbated by flooding linked to Hurricane Oscar, which hit the Caribbean nation on October 20.
In Matanzas, the lack of electricity halted the refrigeration process for milk meant for over 11,200 children, leading to spoilage and rendering it unsuitable for distribution, according to Eddy González Hernández, the General Director of the Provincial Dairy Products Company. González explained that the milk supply has been particularly problematic in the municipalities of Matanzas, Colón, and Cárdenas. Authorities are striving to resume delivery in the hardest-hit areas, like the Peñas Altas route.
Widespread Impact on Food and Water Supply
The absence of powdered milk to replace fresh supplies has worsened the situation, impacting the diet of children, the elderly, pregnant women, and patients with specific dietary needs. During the recent blackout, thousands of households in Cuba lost basic food supplies due to lack of refrigeration. Meanwhile, power cuts continue to be a daily occurrence, with an estimated electricity generation shortfall of over 1,000 MW during peak hours.
Additionally, nearly 400,000 residents in the nation's capital have been enduring unreliable potable water service for several years, compounding the challenges faced by the Cuban population.