The illustrative image is taken from Archivo/RHC

Havana, Sep 26 (RHC) The National General Staff of Cuba’s Civil Defense establishes the Cyclonic Alarm Phase for the western provinces of Pinar del Río, Artemisa, and the special municipality Isla de la Juventud, from 17:00 hours this Monday, taking into account that Hurricane Ian will continue to gain in organization and intensity, approaching the national territory.

The provinces of Havana, Mayabeque, Matanzas, and Cienfuegos remain in the Cyclonic Alert Phase, and Santi Spiritus, Ciego de Avila, and Villa Clara are in the Information Phase.

These territories should increase their vigilance in the face of Ian´s possible impact and consequently comply with the measures required to protect the population and economic resources.

The population is oriented to remain attentive to the information provided by the Institute of Meteorology and the Civil Defense, through the media and official profiles on social networks and to comply disciplined with the indications given by local authorities.

The Forecast Center of the Institute of Meteorology and the National General Staff of Cuba’s Civil Defense are keeping a watchful eye on the evolution of this cyclonic organism.

In the coming hours, tropical storm force winds are forecast to extend more than 150 km from its center, affecting the central and western provinces of the country.

Storm surges on the southern coast will extend from Pinar del Rio to Cienfuegos, causing coastal flooding in low-lying areas of Pinar del Rio, Mayabeque, and the special municipality of Isla de la Juventud.

Intense rains will increase and will affect the center and west of the country, reaching up to 300 millimeters (Source: Information Note No.3 of the National General Staff of Cuba’s Civil Defense).