Venezuela: Gov’t Deploys Emergency Response as Hurricane Beryl Wreaks Havoc in Cumanacoa Town
Caracas, July 4, 2024 (venezuelanalysis.com) – Three people died, at least five are missing and 25,000 were affected after devastating floods swept through Cumanacoa town, Sucre state, following the passing of Hurricane Beryl off the Venezuelan coast.
The deadly flooding took place on July 2 when the category 5 hurricane hit Venezuela with 270 kilometers per hour winds, according to a report issued early Tuesday by the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (Inanmeh). The heavy winds and rainfall caused the overflowing of the Manzanares River which swept away houses, cars and people.
The situation has normalized since then after the hurricane left the Venezuelan Caribbean coast and headed towards Jamaica where it has also caused great damage.
In response to the emergency, President Nicolás Maduro ordered the immediate deployment of rescue teams, with around 2,6000 officials from Civil Protection, firefighters, military and police units mobilizing to the area.
Popular movements activated solidarity networks as well. The Communard Union sent a team and set up collection points for donations of food, clothes and medicine.
During a televised broadcast on Tuesday, Maduro regretted the deaths of two men and a woman who were swept away by the river currents and confirmed that rescuers would continue searching for the missing people.
According to reports, 400 houses were destroyed, another 8,000 were partially damaged, at least one school was brought down by the flooding and two others had ceilings and walls affected. The electricity service went out and the town’s roads were severely obstructed by mud and fallen trees.
On Wednesday, Maduro commissioned a plan to build and repair all the damaged houses through Venezuela’s Great Housing Mission (GMVV) and charged Housing and Habitat Minister Ildemaro Villarroel with organizing a people-led task force for the reconstruction.
He likewise called Education Minister Yelitze Santaella to inspect the affected schools and present a plan for their prompt recovery and appointed a Presidential Command post in Cumanacoa with General Lockiby Belmonte as the sole authority.
“We have a task with the Great Housing Mission, with economic circuits and the communal councils so that the people guide us in the rebuilding process”, the president said on television while giving an update on the situation.
Maduro established a 15-day deadline to restore the Cumanacoa town and the surrounding affected areas as well as relocate all the people who lost their homes. He went on to congratulate the rescue forces for their quick response.
“I can say that all the preventive action we took has saved many lives because as soon as the flooding was alerted, firefighters, Civil Protection, and the rest mobilized,” he said.
By Wednesday, authorities on the ground announced that streets were being cleared and the electricity service was re-established. Vice Admiral Luciano Francisco Fernández added that drinking water and non-perishing food were being distributed to the affected population while six feeding centers were preparing meals for 14,000 displaced people.
A high-level team of government officials sent to supervise the rescue and reconstruction efforts suffered an accident soon after arriving as trees fell on the caravan.
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, who was leading the commission, was hurt in the incident. According to Maduro, “A very strong windstorm hit and knocked down several trees and one fell on her” but was in good condition and receiving medical treatment.
The following day, Rodríguez confirmed via phone call that she was in good health despite the bruising and “happy” to continue working.
Other officials injured were the Water Minister Rodolfo Marco Torres, Interior Minister Remigio Ceballos, Sucre Governor Gilberto Pinto, and Montes Municipality Mayor Tomás Bello, who suffered a femoral fracture.
Rescue teams and government officials remain deployed in the area.
