Overnight Shift from Drought to Flooding in Central Cuba

Overnight Shift from Drought to Flooding in Central Cuba
Wed, 30 May 2012 11:23 GMT
Source: Content partner // Inter Press Service
By Ivet González

HAVANA, May 30 (IPS) - The sudden shift from drought to heavy rainfall that caused severe flooding in central Cuba drove home to the authorities the need to redesign preparedness and prevention plans for climate-related emergencies."These unusually heavy rains in such a short period of time made it necessary for us to update our plans and modify procedures to adapt to climate change-related phenomena," said Inés María Chapman, president of the National Institute of Water Resources (INRH).

The INRH's responsibilities include acting in a timely manner, with foresight, and the constant monitoring of every dam and reservoir in Cuba.

For example, Chapman described the measures taken to keep the Zaza reservoir and others in the central province of Sancti Spíritus stable as "a real-time exercise in how to act in the face of weather events."

During a tour of the Zaza reservoir, the largest man-made reservoir on the island, the official pointed out that just a few days ago, INRH experts were discussing the possible need to accelerate the well-drilling programme in order to keep up rice production.

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