Havana, February 17 (RHC/Prensa Latina)-- The president of the National Institute of Water Resources, Ines Maria Chapman, said droughts in Cuba are more frequent and longer lasting.

Chapman told the media in Havana that dry spells in Cuba used to appear every five years as an average but that now these happen every three years, and their duration is longer.

She explained the situation brings economic losses and affects the population, as water supply cycles have to be re-adapted based on availability of the liquid.

The president of the Water Resources Institute said droughts have what she called a silent and detrimental effect, noting that while there is preparedness for weather phenomena like hurricanes, there is little preparedness against dry periods.

She said water loss via pipe leakages had been reduced from 58 percent to 45 percent, but cautioned on the need for greater awareness regarding a rational use of water.