Under the maxim that the priority is the protection of human life, the Las Tunas Defense Council activated its structures and has begun implementing preventive measures in response to the threat of Tropical Storm Melissa, as the National Civil Defense General Staff declared the Information Phase for all provinces in eastern Cuba.

Las Tunas, Cuba.- Osbel Lorenzo Rodríguez, president of the Provincial Defense Council (CDP), emphasized the need to prepare for the worst-case scenario and called for discipline. "No one can be confident," he warned.

Among the first measures adopted were the suspension of festive activities by state or private entities, as well as the cessation of the sale of alcoholic beverages. Intensive solid waste collection and inspection of power generators were also indicated.

The order was given to immediately activate and communicate with all defense zones to ensure the flow of information. Likewise, logistical arrangements are being made at evacuation centers. Guidelines were issued to stockpile fuel, firewood, food, and other resources. It was also learned that the Revolutionary Armed Forces are ready with the required resources to address potential flooding or clear roads and bridges.

Yelenis Tornet Menéndez, vice president of the body, provided instructions on securing energy for key centers such as hospitals and food production units. She also stated that the situation of chronic-ill patients requiring treatments such as hemodialysis is being monitored.

Another guideline was to establish media viewing points and cell phone charging points for the population. To ensure access to information in the event of potential outages in the National Energy System, the Telecommunications Company Territorial Division has enabled toll-free numbers 800-73565 for Radio Reloj and 18899 for Radio Victoria, via landlines.

Karen González Velázquez, who leads one of the subgroups, reported on the preparation of the evaluation and alert centers.

In the hydraulic sector, Mirtha Odalis García Rojas, delegate of the Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INHR), stated that the province's reservoirs are at 40 percent of their total capacity.

At 11:00 a.m., Melissa had maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour and continued to move slowly over the central Caribbean Sea. The Meteorological Institute forecasts it will strengthen into a hurricane later today. Most forecast models indicate it will hit Cuban territory by the middle of next week.