Cuba: Water shortages reported throughout country

Event

Cuba is currently in the midst of one of the worst droughts in 100 years, and the country's aging infrastructure, including a leaking drainage system, has meant that more than 50 percent of available water is lost. State water officials must manually change the flow of water in the pipes every day to ensure an equal water divide between houses and neighborhoods. Some cities in Cuba only have running water once every five days.

During periods of extreme drought, every city block is permitted to request one government water truck, however many of the trucks do not arrive on time, prompting many Cubans to pay illegal water vendors to transport water.  

Advice

Individuals present in  Cuba are advised to be prepared for water shortages (stock up on bottled water), to follow any water conservation instructions issued by local authorities, and to keep abreast of the situation.