Cuba registers 2025 as the fifth driest year since 1901

Havana.- Cuba registered 2025 as the fifth driest year since 1901, accumulating 1,114 millimeters of rain, equivalent to 83% of the historical average, according to a report from the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INRH) released this Monday by state media. Cuban reservoirs were at 64% of their total capacity at the end of the last fiscal year, with 5,868 cubic hectometers (hm3) stored, which represented 228 hm3 less than the historical average for that period, a reflection of the accumulated impact due to the rainfall deficit. By regions, the western region received 74% of its historical average rainfall, the central region reached 82%, while the most benefited was the eastern region with 94%, due to the influence of Hurricane Melissa, which hit several provinces in that area at the end of October. The INRH balance referred to by the Cuban News Agency (ACN) indicated that fourteen of the island's 101 main aquifers were found in unfavorable condition and one in critical condition. You can also read: In September 2025, more than 3.1 million people in Cuba - approximately 30% of its population - were affected by the total or partial lack of water supply, due to the drought, although also because of the energy crisis, breakdowns of pumping machines and the deterioration of the hydraulic networks, according to sector authorities. An analysis by the Meteorology Institute of the island reported that between November of last year and January 2026, 30% of the Cuban territory presented affectation by meteorological drought, and of it 5% in the severe to extreme category, 8% moderate and 17% weak. Likewise, the provinces most affected by the rainfall deficit were the western Pinar del Río, Artemisa and La Habana.