Havana, April 28 (RHC), – A drought in the eastern Cuban province of Granma is affecting the water supply to over 10,000 area residents, according to the National Water Resources Institute.

The situation in Granma province, some 733 kilometers east of Havana, prevails despite regular rainfall over the past several weeks, Prensa Latina news agency reported.

Water supply sources have been affected, thus having an impact on 22 local communities, while the water levels at reservoirs in the territory only reach 35 percent, according to the local office of the National Water Resources Institute.

The scarcity of water could thwart the planting of rice on over 4,000 hectares of land included in production plans for this year. Actions to counter the problem include the maintenance and repair of water pipes, the recovery of pumping equipment and the distribution of water by cistern trucks.