Significant flooding has struck various parts of Havana due to heavy rainfall on Tuesday, particularly impacting the city's low-lying regions where poor drainage has worsened the effects of the downpour. From early afternoon, numerous residents began sharing reports on social media about water accumulation in streets, avenues, and residential areas.
In just 40 minutes of intense rain, more than half of Havana has been severely affected by the floods. Entire residential zones are submerged, with homes inundated and families trapped inside, as reported by the media agency Cuba Hoy.
Images captured from different points across the capital reveal streets turned into rivers, vehicles partially underwater, floating containers, and trash swept away by currents. These scenes not only highlight the collapse of the city's drainage system but also the vulnerability of the urban environment to such meteorological events.
The situation is particularly dire in neighborhoods like Centro Habana, Cerro, and areas near the Malecón, where floodwaters have reached alarming levels.
This occurrence follows similar atmospheric phenomena reported hours earlier in other provinces. The rains have been accompanied by thunderstorms in Pinar del Río, Artemisa, Mayabeque, and in Havana itself.
The Institute of Meteorology has warned that atmospheric instability persists in the western part of the country, indicating the possibility of further downpours in the coming hours. Raydel Ruisanchez, a specialist from the institute, noted that the meteorological station in Mariel recorded an accumulation of 92.4 mm.
Throughout the year, Havana has repeatedly faced flooding due to intense rains and adverse weather systems. In January, high waves associated with a cold front caused flooding along the Malecón and the low-lying areas of El Vedado, severely impacting these parts of the capital. Following month, torrential rains battered western Cuba, leading to floods in both Havana and Pinar del Río. In the Luyanó neighborhood, tragedy struck when a child was swept into a storm drain during the floods, deeply affecting the community.
In March, the arrival of another cold front in western Cuba brought heavy rains that resulted in more flooding in several parts of Havana, with residents reporting inundated streets and challenges in urban mobility.
Understanding the Flooding Crisis in Havana
What areas of Havana are most affected by the flooding?
The most impacted areas include neighborhoods like Centro Habana, Cerro, and locations near the Malecón, where floodwaters have reached critical levels.
Why is Havana particularly vulnerable to flooding?
Havana's vulnerability to flooding is mainly due to poor drainage infrastructure, low-lying areas, and the city's inability to cope with heavy rainfall and adverse weather conditions.
Have there been previous instances of flooding in Havana this year?
Yes, earlier this year, Havana faced repeated flooding due to intense rains and cold fronts, notably causing severe impact along the Malecón and other low-lying areas.