The torrential rains have fallen on the Barcelona metropolitan area They have forced the activation of all emergency mechanisms in the coastal and pre-coastal areas, with special attention to Badalona and the lower Besòs River basin. The episode, concentrated in just a few hours, has led the Catalan government to use the Es-Alert mass alert system to warn thousands of neighbors directly on their mobile phones.
Given the intensity of the rainfall and the evident risk of flash floods, Civil Protection has asked the population to take extreme precautionsThe following measures are recommended: minimize travel, avoid streams and ravines, and stay away from flood-prone areas. Despite the volume of water recorded and several incidents already reported, authorities emphasize that, so far, no serious injuries have occurred.
Es-Alert Alert in Badalona and municipalities around Besòs
The rain front affecting Catalonia since Friday night It has reactivated strongly over the Barcelona coast, remaining practically stationary over Badalona and several nearby municipalities. This situation has prompted the sending of an ES-Alert message to mobile phones located in the most exposed areas, warning of torrential rains during the next few hours and an increased risk of flooding.
According to sources from the Generalitat and reported by various agencies such as EFE, Europa Press and ACN, the alert was initially directed to Badalona and the group of municipalities around Besòswhere the episode was most intense. The warning clearly identifies the danger, emphasizing that the main problem is not just the rain itself, but the potential for localized flooding of streams and the rapid increase in water flow in low-lying areas.
The latest official communications mention 13 and even 14 municipalities affected by the reception of the Es-AlertAll of these locations are situated in the districts of Barcelonès, Maresme, Vallès Oriental, and, in some cases, Vallès Occidental. The main criterion for selecting the locations was their direct impact from the most intense rain bands and their proximity to the lower reaches of the Besòs River and its mouth.
The mass message has also reached neighborhoods of Barcelona bordering the Besòs areawhere any sudden increase in the level of the river or associated streams was being closely monitored. This type of notice, which make phones ring and vibrate even if they are on silent, are reserved for situations of serious and highly localized risk.
Municipalities warned and areas most affected by the storm
The various notes released by Civil Protection of the Generalitat They place the focus of the alert on the central coastal and pre-coastalespecially in the Besòs basin. Among the municipalities that have confirmed receipt of the Es-Alert are:
- Badalona y Holy Coloma of Gramenet, in Barcelona, directly exposed to the mouth of the Besòs.
- The municipalities of the Valles Oriental most affected by the storm line: Canovelles, Granollers, Parets del Vallès, Montmeló, Montornès del Vallès, Martorelles y the lobster.
- Coastal towns such as Tiana y Montgat, and Sant Adrià de Besòs, closely linked to the final stretch of the river.
- Link municipalities between the metropolitan area and the Vallès, such as Sant Fost de Campsentelles y Montcada i Reixac, where several infrastructures and watercourses converge.
In parallel, the regions of Maresme and part of Vallès Occidental They have also been placed under surveillance, as very intense downpours have been detected in the central pre-coastal area. Although not all towns have received the direct message, Civil Protection reminds everyone that Rain bands can move quickly and suddenly affect neighboring municipalities.
The episode has had a particular impact on Badalona and the surroundings of Santa Coloma de GramenetThe first significant incidents have occurred in the area: flooding in basements, water leaks, and even fallen branches in the street. The Granollers area and nearby municipalities have also recorded significant rainfall, prompting heightened vigilance in critical areas.
On social media, political figures such as the President of the Generalitat, Salvador IllaThey have asked citizens to remain attentive to the instructions of the emergency services, stressing that this is an intense but time-bound episode, which can vary from one area to another in a matter of minutes.
Inuncat Plan activated and safety recommendations
Since Friday, Catalonia keeps the special Inuncat plan activated.The civil protection system specifically designed for flood events includes coordination between emergency services and the issuance of preventive warnings to the public, including ES-ALERT notifications in areas where the risk increases rapidly.
In the messages sent to mobile phones, Civil Protection details a series of recommendations Designed to minimize risk in situations of torrential rain. Key features include:
- Do not approach rivers, streams, ravines or flood-prone areas, especially in the Besòs area and in secondary watercourses.
- Avoid completely crossing flooded underpasses, fords or tunnelseven if the water seems shallow.
- Minimize travel whether traveling by vehicle or on foot, and check traffic conditions before setting off.
- Do not go down to garages, basements, or underground floors where water can accumulate; in case of water entering, it is advisable to go up to higher floors.
- Call to 112 in case of any emergency or situation of immediate danger.
The messages sent emphasize that the highest risk period is concentrated in a specific time frame, pointing in some warnings to the next two hours and in others to a horizon of security up to the 15:00 or 16:00 hours, at which point the front is expected to weaken or shift.
In addition to self-protection guidelines, the authorities remind us of some basic points: Get information through official channelsAvoid spreading rumors or hoaxes, and follow the updated instructions posted on Civil Protection's social media channels and in the news. The agency's deputy director, Inma Soler, stated that Sending new notices is not ruled out. if storms intensify again in other regions.
Interventions by Firefighters, 112 and other emergency services
During the central hours of the episode, Firefighters of the Generalitat and municipal services They have had to respond to a steady stream of storm-related calls. In just over an hour, firefighters have recorded around twenty callouts, a number that has continued to rise. about 25 services related to the rains from noon.
Most of the warnings have occurred in Badalona, Santa Coloma de Gramenet and Mollet del Vallèsalthough calls have also been received from other points in the central pre-coastal area. The services managed have focused mainly on Flooding of basements, water leaks in homes and the removal of branches or fallen trees from public roads. In all these cases, the authorities insist that No injuries or major damage have been reported.
The emergency telephone 112 has received more than a hundred calls From the areas most affected by the downpours, especially in the pre-coastal corridor. This centralized system allows each incident to be referred to the appropriate agency, whether it be the Fire Department, local police, Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan police), or municipal maintenance services.
One of the most delicate episodes has occurred in Granollerswhere firefighters have had to evict 26 residents from a five-story building Located on Cristòfol Colom Street, the building has been flooded due to heavy rains. Water accumulated on one of the upper floors, resulting in the partial collapse of the ceiling in a fourth-floor apartment and damage to the building's structure. The building is currently undergoing a technical inspection by the city council, and no injuries have been reported.
In the city of Barcelona, there have also been isolated incidents, such as the fall of a tree branch on Independencia streetBetween Valencia and Enamorats streets, the Guardia Urbana has closed the affected section to facilitate the work of the Barcelona Fire Department and prevent further branches from falling on pedestrians or vehicles.
Rainfall data, weather situation and context in Spain
The Catalan meteorological services have been updating accumulated rainfall records Throughout the morning. According to Meteocat and other observation networks, temperatures have been exceeded. 50 to 60 liters per square meter in various points along the Barcelona coast and pre-coastal area in just a few hours, a volume sufficient to saturate drains and cause drainage problems in urban areas.
Among the most noteworthy data are the values collected at stations such as Sant Fost-Mas Llombart (66,8 l/m²), Mollet-Estació de França (62,6 l/m²), Badalona-Museu (56,4 l/m²) y Badalona-Progrés (53,8 l/m²)Meteocat has also noted accumulations of 52,3 liters per square meter in Badalona, 22,9 liters in Dosrius y 21,6 liters in Granollers From midday onwards, figures confirm the concentration of the episode on the central coast.
The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) predicted a day of overcast skies with widespread precipitation and a snow level around the 1.400 meters in the Pyreneeswith light frosts at higher elevations. Minimum temperatures tend to rise slightly in the northeast, while maximum temperatures fall, creating a wintry atmosphere. The wind is generally blowing. loose and variable inside, and light to moderate easterly winds on the north coast and northwesterly winds in other sections of the coastline.
This episode in the Barcelona area is part of a situation of general instability in much of Spainwith the arrival of successive fronts from the northwest. AEMET has issued weather warnings for rain, snow, wind and waves Rain is expected in approximately fifteen provinces and in Melilla, with locally heavy showers in the Balearic Islands, the Alboran Sea, western Galicia, and Catalonia itself. Significant snow accumulations are possible in the mountains of northern Spain, especially at mid-elevations.
The Servei Meteorològic de Catalunya, for its part, observes a tendency for precipitation to shift northwards As the afternoon progresses, this has already allowed for a reduction in warnings in the province of Girona, keeping only the Selva region under initial surveillance before a possible resurgence in regions such as Gironès, Pla de l'Estany and Empordà.
Social impact and additional precautionary measures
Beyond mobile phone alerts and emergency response actions, the rain episode has had effects on the daily activity of thousands of peopleOne of the most visible decisions has been that of the Catalan Football Federation, which has opted to suspend all football and futsal matches scheduled in the affected provinces, to avoid travel and outdoor sports practice in adverse conditions.
The storm has also coincided with the start of a festive period marked by the coldThe Catalan meteorological service forecasts that the rain will weaken and decrease in intensity as the day progresses, moving north along the Barcelona coast and into the Girona region, while temperatures will gradually drop in the coming days. Sunday is expected to be the day when the rain will subside. “transition day” before a new round of fronts accompanied by a more marked temperature drop.
Civil Protection insists on the need Remain cautious even if the rain lets upStreams and ravines can continue to carry significant volumes of water for some time after the rain stops, and some slopes or vulnerable structures remain exposed to accumulated moisture. Therefore, it is recommended to pay special attention to the streams of the Maresme region and the waterways of the districts that may be placed under alert again.
Authorities emphasize that, except for specific cases such as the eviction of the building in Granollers, No major incidents or casualties have been reportedThis is partly attributed to the use of early warning systems and the generally responsible response of the public, who have adapted their movements and activities to the evolution of the storm.
What we experienced in the Badalona and Besòs area serves as a reminder of how Mobile alert systems, emergency plans such as Inuncat, and the coordination of rescue services They have become key tools for managing episodes of torrential rain in densely populated urban areas, where a few extra liters per square meter can make the difference between a scare and a serious flood.