Ecobreves – CUBA: A Drill Against Hurricanes

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HAVANA, May 19 2007 (IPS) - Practice in evacuation of people and property, and clean-up of rooftops and drainage systems were some of the activities of the Meteoro 2007 operation, a drill carried out May 19-20 aimed at reducing the damages caused by hurricanes in Cuba. Military groups, government agencies and citizen organizations took part in the effort.

The Cuban Meteorology Institute has not yet released its forecast for the hurricane season, which runs June to November. But expert Maritza Ballester confirmed to Tierramérica that El Niño-Southern Oscillation “faded” in February and March and that now the ocean surface temperatures are normal.

According to experts, El Niño reduces the intensity and frequency of hurricanes in the Caribbean. In July 2005, Cuba suffered losses estimated at 1.4 billion dollars from Hurricane Dennis.