Havana, March 22 (IANS) Over 1,000 people have been evacuated due to flooding triggered by a storm in the eastern tip of Cuba, Spain’s EFE news agency reported. So far no deaths or injuries have been reported. According to the official press, huge waves crashed over the sea wall of the coastal city of Baracoa and destroyed more than 20 homes.

The storm also damaged some 200 buildings, obstructed traffic and covered a considerable stretch of the local airport’s runway with debris.

The storm began Wednesday afternoon, with waves higher than five metres, causing extensive flooding, a phenomenon described by the AIN news agency as worst seen in the city in the past 50 years.

Civil Defence officials have evacuated more than 1,000 people to government buildings and houses of relatives.

Baracoa, which is located some 1,100 km east of Havana, and has a population of around 80,000, is Cuba’s oldest city and the biggest tourist destination in the Guantanamo province.