Cuba in throes of worst drought since 1901

May, 15 - 1:48 PM
Cuba in throes of worst drought since 1901

Havana.– Cuba suffered between Nov. 2005 and April 2006 one of its
driest spells since 1901, with just 65 percent of its historical average
rainfall for the period, the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources
(INRH) reported Monday.

During that time, 10 of the island's 14 provinces registered between 50
and 75 percent of their historical average rainfall, according to the
latest INRH bulletin quoted Monday in the state newspaper Granma.

The western provinces of Havana and City of Havana, and in the east
Holguin and Guantanamo, have been the hardest hit, with rainfall far
below average for the time of year.

In April a little more rain fell in some parts of the country, in
particular the eastern and central provinces, which served to replenish
some sources of the water supply, sharply diminished by the harshest
drought to have hit the country in a century.

Meanwhile reservoirs are currently at 58 percent of capacity, which at
the end of April put them within their historical average range.

Making the lack of rain even more critical is the deterioration of the
island's water distribution network which, according to official
estimates, causes a loss of as much as 60 percent of the water it carries.

Cuban Vice President Carlos Lage announced in January investments of
$185 million in hydraulic works that include projects to improve the
networks of water-distribution pipes, especially in Havana and cities in
the central and eastern regions of the country, where the problems are
most severe.

Last year's drought made it necessary to distribute water from tanker
trucks to some 2.6 million people on the island.

http://www.dominicantoday.com/app/article.aspx?id=13456