The island of Ibiza has accumulated up to 200 liters per square meter in two hours, as reported by the Director General of Emergencies, Pablo Gárriz, after the last meeting of the technical advisory committee.
In statements to the media, Gárriz has pointed out that the storm damage potential in Ibiza “has been evolving” and, although it seemed that the phenomenon was losing strength and given its seasonality, the situation has had to be reevaluated when starting to have problems with drainage.
The heavy rains have generated a “peak situation”, forcing to send the alert message to citizens. According to Gárriz, at this moment priority is given to the attention to vulnerable groups and the assistance of trapped people.
In relation to the educational centers, Gárriz explained that the slogan of not going to look for schoolchildren at the schools “to uncollapse the city of Ibiza” is maintained, since the Emergency services may have problems to reach certain places.
Request to the UME
The Director General emphasized that a request for support from the UMEhas been made, for which reason the arrival of a first contingent from Bétera is awaited in order to reinforce the operations now underway. Subsequently, another contingent will come from Denia this Tuesday to reposition heavy material. It is also enlisting a reinforcement operation from Mallorca with own means of the Balearic Islands as Ibanat.
“We are establishing a bridge with helicopters to project personnel reinforcements“, said Gárriz, who explained that there is an operations command in Ibiza.
In Formentera, Gárriz acknowledged that the concern is less because during last night has not rained.
Until 16.00 hours
The red alert in Ibiza will remain, at least, until 16.00 hours, when the Aemet will review the situation again, as reported by the Councillor for Public Administration of the Govern, Antonia Maria Estarellas.
After the meeting of the 112 Emergency, the councilor recalled that a constant accumulation of water has led to the red alert and has asked again that citizens to heed the recommendations.
In addition, he announced that, an hour after doing so in Ibiza, the Government has sent the Es-Alert message to the residents of Formentera, in anticipation of the storm moves there.
““We must send a message of tranquility because we have everything monitored“, he insisted, also referring to the schools on the island. At the same time, he has asked to avoid unnecessary displacements.
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