A Civil Defense release forecasts the gale will develop into a tropical storm in the next few hours, going on the become a full-blown hurricane due to its progressive strengthening during its passing through the seas of the southern Caribbean.

From 3:00 p.m. on Monday, the Cyclonic Alert phase will come into effect for the provinces of Matanzas, Mayabeque, Havana, Artemisa, Pinar del Río and the Special Municipality of Isla de la Juventud, in view of the possibility that a hurricane will directly impact the area, the government agency assures.

At 1:00 p.m. (local time), the tropical depression was located south of Jamaica and was moving north at a speed of about 15 kilometers per hour (km/h), according to the Cuban Meteorological Institute’s Forecast Center.

Starting Monday afternoon and evening, and given its wide circulation, the storm will cause rains, showers and thunderstorms in the central and western regions, the Civil Defense specified.

In the eastern region the rains will persist and may be locally intense, it added.

The rest of the provinces in the center and east of the island should attentively follow the storm’s evolution and trajectory and reinforce protection of lives and property.

The EMNDC has advised citizens to stay informed through official media and profiles on social networks.

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