Warning of torrential rains in various regions

BarcelonaBetween Wednesday and Thursday, an episode of intense rainfall will arrive in various parts of Catalonia, and in some of these territories, the precipitation could reach torrential levels. In fact, the risk map for showers is colored orange (moderate level) and red (significant level) in areas near rivers and streams throughout the territory. Given this change in weather, Civil Protection urged the population to exercise caution this afternoon and evening when traveling on secondary roads and paths, or driving during the storm. Furthermore, authorities have not ruled out sending alerts to citizens' phones to protect themselves from the rain.

The deputy director of Civil Protection, Sergio Delgado, has recalled that the flood plan alert (Inuncat) has been activated due to the forecast of intense rainfall, which could leave up to 40 liters per square meter in half an hour. Although the weather situation is not expected to reach the intensity level of a few days ago with the DANA, could pose a "significant risk" because the ground is "saturated" from previous rains. Specifically, Delgado explained that the area most at risk is Garraf and that the situation around Foix "occupies and worries" them, as the reservoir is exceeding 94 percent of its capacity.

In Catalonia, a red warning has been activated in the Barcelona area, where intense rainfall will record up to 60 liters in one hour and accumulate 120 liters in 3 or 4 hours in points of the central depression, while in Girona and Tarragona the warning is orange (risk 00 per hour record). The director of the Meteorological Service of Catalonia, Sarai Sarroca, has explained that the regions "most at risk" are those where it has rained the most these days: the Pre-Pyrenees area and inland Catalonia and the regions of Anoia, Vallès Oriental and Vallès Occidental, Solsonès or Ripollès. In any case, she said, the incidents are expected to be "much lower" than a few days ago because the behavior of the rainfall will not be so static.

Monitoring of rivers and streams

Civil Protection maintains the Inuncat alert activated in the northern coastal and pre-coastal regions of the Barcelona and Tarragona demarcation. Despite the low probability, conditions exist for torrential downpours, and Delgado asked everyone to be "very attentive" to possible alerts issued, including the possibility of mobile phone messages if the situation worsens and specific instructions need to be issued to the public for a specific area and period.

Specifically, rain is expected in the Segarra and Urgell regions, in the headwaters of the rivers that feed the Segre, and on the coast and pre-coastal areas south of Barcelona, the Penedès, and the Garraf, especially around the Foix region. The Catalan Water Agency (ACA) has initiated a preventive operation to drain the reservoir, which is at 94% capacity after the cold snap on July 12. Delgado added that the situation in the remaining reservoirs is not cause for concern.

Meanwhile, the Ebro Hydrographic Confederation (CHE) is maintaining surveillance of small rivers and ravines, especially in the upper Segre (north of the Cadí) and the rivers on the left bank of the Segre (Corb, Sió, and Llobregós). Although warning thresholds are not expected to be exceeded, coordination with the Catalan Operational Coordination Center (CECAT) will be maintained to report any potential incidents.