Hurricane Paula is nearing the Western Cuban province of Pinar del Rio, where it is now raining and tropical storm winds are being felt, the Meteorological Institute announced in its most recent report. 

The eye of the hurricane is at about 50 kilometers north-northwest of Cape San Antonio, on the western tip of Pinar del Rio, the report said. 

In the next 12 to 24 hours, the system will move along the northwestern side, with its course tending more toward the east-northwest and east, moving faster and gradually losing intensity. 

Paula lost lost strength early today, and currently has winds of 120 kph (75 mph), with higher gusts, and its pressure rose to 999 hectoPascal, maintaining it as a Category 1 hurricane.