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Hurricane Oscar Pounds Cuba With Heavy Rain, Millions Without Power After Second Grid Collapse

Hurricane Oscar made landfall on 20 October, bringing strong winds and heavy rain to eastern Cuba, complicating efforts to restore power after a severe nationwide blackout. The storm's winds reached 75 mph (120 kph), prompting warnings of an "extremely dangerous situation." In response to the hurricane and the ongoing energy crisis, the Cuban government cancelled schools through 23 October and advised only essential workers to report to work. Power had been restored to 160,000 residents in Havana just before the grid collapsed again. The blackout, caused by the shutdown of a major power plant, left millions without electricity, exacerbating existing shortages of food, fuel, and water. Protests erupted in Havana as frustrated citizens demanded action to restore power. The government has attributed the crisis to deteriorating infrastructure, rising demand, and reduced fuel shipments from key suppliers like Venezuela, alongside the impact of U.S. sanctions.

first published: Oct 21, 2024 03:33 pm