Ciego de Avila, Cuba.- The intense rains occurred in the last hours in this central Cuban province allowed the eight dams and two natural lakes of the territory to be fully filled today.

The delegate of the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources in Ciego de Avila, Sergio Barrios, reported that the water table, the main source of water supply to the inhabitants and economic institutions of the territory, is also at the top of its capacity.

During the afternoon-night of Saturday, rainfall exceeded 100 millimeters and caused flooding in several areas of the city and almost all the municipalities of Ciego de Avila, where seven tornadoes were reported.

One of them took place in the areas of the Empresa de Cultivos Varios La Cuba, where it totally affected some 40 hectares of plantain and several irrigation systems.

According to the director of the entity, Carlos Blanco, currently a bean area in harvest period is flooded, in which some 160 tons of the grain are lost, and the damage in a corn field is evaluated.

Barrios said that the province has recorded rainfall equivalent to 200 percent of historical levels for May, considered among the rainiest months of the year.

Ciego de Avila has six artificial dams: El Calvario, Las Margaritas, Sabanas Nuevas, Puente Largo, Chambas II and Cañada Blanca, and two natural lakes: Laguna de la Leche and La Redonda, whose levels are high now.

The province was severely affected due to the intense drought of 36 months, so its underground mantle and surface reservoirs were very depressed, with the lowest water levels in history.

At present, its springs, streams, gullies and lakes, including the Great North Wetland, show a different landscape, which favors both the population and its flora and fauna.

However, in each place, actions to save water continue, through proper planning in harmony with sustainable economic and social development and the protection of the environment.