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Perhaps with more strength than anticipated, Tropical Storm Paula caused heavy rain and very strong winds as it passed through the northern part of Pinar del Río, the province of Havana and the capital.

Dr. José Rubiera, head of the Forecasting Centre of the Meteorology Institute reported the storm entered Cuban soil between midday and 1pm in the area of Puerto Esperanza, and continued moving in an easterly direction at approximately 15 kph.

Despite weakening, Paula produced gusts of up to 110 kph in La Palma and 106 kph in Bahía Honda.

Between 4.30 and 7pm the main body of the storm was over Havana, causing torrential rain and thunderstorms, with winds between 90 and 99 kph.

Damage to power lines caused by falling trees has left much of the city without power, although officials report that work started immediately to rectify this.

Currently Paula is continuing in an easterly direction, gradually weakening, expectd to become a tropical depression and later a low pressure area.

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