Around 6,500 inhabitants of the municipality of Manatí deal with the direct consequences of the drought every day.

Las Tunas, Cuba.- The issue has already had a notable impact on that terroir for several years, so not every effort is enough in the face of such a burden on nature.

Three pumping stations are completely dry and, therefore, paralyzed; nine others are partially affected, which is of great importance under the present circumstances.

Michael Cervantes Arrieta, deputy director of the Aqueduct and Sewerage Provincial Company, recently confirmed to the press that solid investments are being made and that as much consultation as possible is being carried out, prioritizing, first and foremost, the supply of water to the population. Because, although it is true that livestock and crops also need water, bringing the liquid to every home is the most important.

Among what has been achieved so far is the habilitation of a pumping station in Aguada de Vázquez to fill the train cars that take the liquid to several communities of Manatí; the construction of new wells for the supply in the areas of Meriño, El Silencio and Las Palmas, among others, is being evaluated.

Amid all this situation, indiscipline abounds. And the authorities insist on that because it cannot be a matter of a few that the vital fluid reaches homes; it is imposed to watch and make collective.

It is regrettable, therefore, that indolent hands put the pipes that would alleviate the situation of a family to benefit livestock or other activities; a problem that even has been affecting recently completed sections of pipelines.

The workers of the hydraulic sector are repairing the damage and it is known that this dilemma is not exclusive to this area, and other places in the province and the country are facing similar situations.

These are difficult times and the drought exposes the inhabitants of the rural communities of Las Tunas and, especially those living in Manatí, to a very complex daily life.

Reversing it and finding solutions to put an end to this issue in the long term depends on large investments and the sensitivity and solidarity of all. Otherwise, it is not possible to win such a bloody game against nature and its enormous force.