Millions of people without electricity and a lot of damage in Cuba as a result of Hurricane Melissa, which is still on the island

"It's been a very complicated morning. The damage is plentiful and Hurricane Melissa is still on the island," Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel wrote on social media, calling on the population to exercise caution while the hurricane continues on the island. 

"We have prepared for the worst and the measures have been effective," he added in a joint appearance with members of the Communist Party of Cuba. 

The inhabitants of the far east of Cuba were the first to notice the effects of Hurricane Melissa, which hit the ground when it was 03:10 local time (08:10 in the Basque Country), with sustained winds of 193 kilometres per hour, although then weakened.

Near there, in Santiago de Cuba (east), the second most populous city, the damage was evident in the morning, and rain and strong winds continue. 

Many sections of the main streets and avenues of the city are flooded, trees and power stations are on the ground, and many homes and public buildings were severely damaged. 

Bayamo, Baracoa and Contramaestre have also been flooded and severely damaged, and the streets have become brown rivers there. 

For the time being, the situation in rural or mountainous areas is unknown, but the main concern is the sudden floods and landslides. 

Melissa is expected to leave Cuba in the next few hours and cross the Atlantic to the northeast towards the Bahamas.