Heavy rainfall during the early hours of Sunday morning unleashed a landslide in Matanzas, damaging the sidewalk and part of the pavement on Buena Vista Street. The affected area stretches between René Fraga Park and the Provincial Center for Hygiene, Epidemiology, and Microbiology, according to reports from Girón newspaper.
Michel León Rodríguez, the municipal Intendant, explained that the accumulated water pressure was so intense that it compromised the very infrastructure intended to channel rainwater. "The force of the accumulated water fractured and carried away parts of the hydraulic infrastructure designed to precisely evacuate the rainwater. We are currently minimizing risks by clearing debris before assessing the damage," he stated.
As of the publication of this report, rain continued to fall over the municipality.
Personnel from the Popular Power Maintenance and Construction companies, the Ministry of Construction, and the municipality's Communal Services, along with Party and Government authorities and health directors, were deployed to the scene.
Chinese-made heavy machinery —including SDLG and XCMG front loaders, as well as a backhoe— was utilized to clear debris and the asphalt displaced by the water's force.
Intendant León Rodríguez attempted to downplay the incident's impact by noting that the rest of the city had not experienced severe issues: "So far, nothing alarming has occurred in the city, just some street obstructions that we have been clearing with the equipment currently deployed here."
This Sunday's landslide is not an isolated incident. The day before, in the municipality of Cárdenas, the Guásimas stream overflowed, flooding several homes with water reaching about one meter in height in some residences.
In September, heavy rains in central Matanzas led to partial collapses in 18 homes and the total collapse of two buildings. In August, the San Juan and Yumurí rivers overflowed, inundating areas like La Marina and Versalles.
The deterioration of the storm drainage system has deep structural roots. By June 2025, Matanzas had recorded 91 leaks in its hydraulic network, several of which were severe. As of May this year, only 11 of the municipality's 24 garbage collection trucks were operational, exacerbating the obstruction of drains and waterways. Chronic power outages, rendering pumping systems useless, complete a scenario of vulnerability that repeats with each episode of intense rain.
Intendant León Rodríguez acknowledged in May of this year that the authorities owe the city improvements in communal services, a shortcoming highlighted once again by Sunday's landslide, affecting over 300,000 Matanzas residents who are already dealing with chronic water supply issues.
Impact of Severe Weather in Matanzas
What caused the landslide in Matanzas?
The landslide was caused by intense rainfall that led to the accumulation of water pressure, damaging the hydraulic infrastructure meant to manage rainwater.
How are authorities addressing the damage?
Authorities are minimizing risks by clearing debris and assessing the damage. Personnel and machinery have been deployed to manage the situation.
Are such weather-related incidents common in Matanzas?
Yes, similar incidents have occurred in the past, including river overflow and structural damage due to heavy rain, highlighting ongoing vulnerabilities in the city's infrastructure.