The fundamental thing is to preserve people's lives, although that effort can be hindered by indiscipline. (Photo:PL)

Havana, September 24 (RHC)-- Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, together with government and Civil Defense authorities, checked Saturday the preparedness of the territories for the passage of Tropical Storm Ian through western and central areas of the country.

The President indicated that the most important issue is to preserve people's lives, although this effort may be hindered by indiscipline, according to a note published on the Presidency of the Republic website.

"These are moments in which we must summon a lot of social discipline, a lot of responsibility and above all a lot of solidarity, because we all need to cooperate, unite and also demand what corresponds to each one of us".

The Cuban leader urged to increase the vigilance of the meteorological situation and indicated the need to punctuate the disaster reduction plans, which have been updated after each hurricane and in the Meteoro Exercises.

He insisted that the organization of the people who need to be evacuated should be carried out now, and he also said that work should be done to guarantee the distribution of food to the population, especially bread.

He also called to prioritize the cleaning of drains and elements that create obstacles in areas where water drains and "pondered the decision taken not to return students to schools, to avoid their movement".

Diaz-Canel emphasized the protection of boats, the protection of animals, the advance of harvests to reduce losses and the surveillance of reservoirs.  In addition, he indicated the readiness of the brigades of the Electric Union, Telecommunications, Hydraulic Resources to solve any affectation produced by the hydrometeorological event.

"We must also be, from now on, designing by all the institutions involved an informative strategy, including the social networks, to guarantee a permanent communication, at every moment,"

The General Staff of the Cuban Civil Defense established today the informative phase, from 08:00, local time, for the western and central provinces of the country in the face of tropical storm Ian.

According to a press release from the agency, the decision was adopted for the territories from Pinar del Río to Cienfuegos and the special municipality of Isla de la Juventud, due to the potential danger posed by the hydrometeorological event, given its projection to the south of the country and the forecast trajectory.