Radio Cadena Agramonte emisiora de Camagüey
Havana, March 13.- The National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INRH) of Cuba reported that multiple works are being carried out to mitigate the effects of the drought, a press report indicated today.
In this regard, the Granma newspaper published a detailed report that shows the Government's efforts to solve a significant economic problem.
The publication specifies that the INRH has executed 525.7 million pesos (one peso or CUP is equivalent to 124 dollars at the official exchange rate) in 206 works, since last year, to mitigate the effect of the drought in the country, with the greatest impact on the provinces of Artemisa, Camagüey, Holguín, Santiago de Cuba and Guantánamo.
These jobs will benefit more than 309 thousand people, despite the difficult economic situation and the increase in the criminal blockade of the United States Government, the message emphasizes.
According to the INRH, at the end of last year, 94 municipalities had hydrological drought (it occurs when the water reserves available in sources such as aquifers, rivers, lakes and dams fall below the statistical average).
Of that total, 21 were included in the moderate drought category, 25 in severe drought and 48 in extreme drought. In another 24 municipalities the behavior is classified as weakly dry or close to the moderate drought category.
Sector specialists explained that these territories are spread throughout the nation, although they are more concentrated in the western and central regions.
However, they pointed out that the year ended with a water stress (situation that occurs when the demand for water is higher than the amount available) of 19.7 percent, which places the national territory in favorable conditions of availability of the resource.
More than 500 million pesos are spent to mitigate the effects of the drought. These works will have a greater impact in the provinces of Artemisa, Camagüey, Holguín, Santiago de Cuba and Guantánamo, the source reiterated. (Text and photo: PL)
