Cuba is battling drought with development projects

Havana, Apr 15 (Prensa Latina) Cuba is battling this year's drought problems with well-structured plans that seek to solve the situation, according to Granma daily.

MSc. Argelio Omar Fernandez told this newspaper that they are working intensively to lessen its impact in the country, especially on water supply to the population.

Fernandez, director of Hydrology and Hydrogeology at the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources, said that in the eastern provinces of Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo, Holguin, the central province of Villa Clara and Havana, water supply cycles and schedules are being readjusted to guarantee water distribution according to availability. He added that several investments underway are being sped up, thanks to which new sources of water supply to the population will be incorporated.

According to the expert, this year’s plan includes the search for alternative or changing sources to supply the population.

He added that one of these actions is the installation of a pipeline in Holguin to bring water closer to the people, including a water transfer for agricultural development. It also seeks to supply water to several communities.

At present, 360 pumping stations are not working properly due to low water availability. Most of them are located in the provinces of Holguin, Las Tunas, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo and Camagüey.