Tropical Storm Oscar Impacts Eastern Cuba

Tropical Storm Oscar, which briefly reached Category 1 hurricane status, has significantly impacted eastern Cuba, exacerbating an existing power outage crisis. The storm made landfall near Baracoa with winds of 75 mph before weakening, but it continues to bring heavy rainfall, posing risks of life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides, especially in mountainous areas like the Sierra Maestra. Efforts to restore power to millions of residents, affected by a massive grid failure prior to the storm, have been complicated by the severe weather conditions. Oscar is expected to move northeast towards the southeastern and central Bahamas, bringing additional rain and potential flooding. Authorities are working on restoring electricity using micro power grid systems, aiming for stability by Tuesday. The storm's rapid development and impact underscore the challenges faced by Cuba's aging infrastructure in handling natural disasters.