HAVANA, Cuba.- According to the information from the Forecast Center of the Weather Institute, tropical storm Michael has continued to gain in organization and intensity, so it became a hurricane category one of the Saffir Simpson scale, and continues to approach the Western part of the island.

Taking into account the evolution of this system, the cyclone alert phase is established for Pinar del Rio and the Isle of Youth. Artemisa, Havana, Mayabeque and Matanzas provinces continue in the informative phase.

Cienfuegos, Sancti Espiritus and Villa Clara must increase hydro-meteorological surveillance, and stay informed about the behavior of rainfall in their territories.

The population should be attentive to the information of the Forecast Center of the Weather Institute, and to the guidelines of the Civil Defense National General Staff.