Sanchez, a Master of Science, told Prensa Latina that, according to preliminary assessments, the category-three hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale caused damage to the vegetation complex associated with the mogotes, typical elevations of the area with rounded tops.

He added that the hurricane damaged the three levels of forest, knocked down trees, caused obstruction in the sinkholes that evacuate the waters, as well as landslides and rock slides.

In Alturas de Pizarra we also saw fallen bushes, branches, collapsed soil, deepening of the gullies, as well as a deterioration of access roads, he further said.

Because of its exceptional values, the area, which belongs to the province of Pinar del Rio, was declared a Geopark, the first one in Cuba.

Previously, the Viñales Valley and the surrounding town were included in the World Heritage List, due to the harmony between man and the environment.

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