Hurricane Oscar weakens to tropical storm in eastern Cuba

Havana, October 21 (RHC)-- Hurricane Oscar, which is affecting the eastern provinces of Cuba, weakened to a tropical storm today, with maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometres per hour.

According to the Forecasting Centre of the Meteorological Institute, tropical storm force winds will continue and may reach speeds of 85 to 100 kilometres per hour with higher gusts.

Strong swells will continue to occur north of Guantanamo and Holguin and will extend to the northern coast of Las Tunas. Moderate to heavy coastal flooding will continue in low-lying areas of this coast, including the Baracoa seawall.

The meteorological event will continue its slow movement towards the west-southwest and west at a similar speed of propagation and decreasing intensity.

In Guantanamo, Holguin and Las Tunas, rains, showers and thunderstorms will continue, according to the latest warning.

Due to the deterioration of the meteorological situation in the region, the National Civil Defense (CD) declared the cyclone alert phase for the provinces of Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, Holguin, Granma and Las Tunas the day before. It was also decided to put Camagüey under cyclonic warning.

Cuba is suffering from the impact of what has now become Tropical Storm Oscar in the midst of a tense energy situation caused by the shutdown of the National Electricity System, which is currently in a complex state of weakness. (Source: Prensa Latina)