The councilor of Territory, Housing and Ecological Transition of the Generalitat, Sílvia Paneque, has emphasized that the activation of the Es-Alert system is decided solely based on technical parameters and has insisted that "it cannot become a tool of political convenience."
Paneque expressed this on Tuesday, after a press conference at the headquarters of the Interior department, when asked whether the Govern maintains its stance of not having activated the Es-Alert last Saturday, when heavy rainfall caused the collapse of a wall in Roda de Berà (Tarragona), an event that resulted in the death of two women this Wednesday.
Regarding this episode, the councilor stated that the position of the Catalan Executive is "exactly the same as yesterday," while lamenting the loss of these two lives. She also emphasized that the absence of an Es-Alert does not imply a lack of communication or transmission of information to the municipalities and emergency services.
On the other hand, the councilor of Interior and Public Security, Núria Parlon, has highlighted that Es-Alert is a tool designed to warn of "imminent" risks, but has stressed that it is not the only available channel. She explained that in certain situations its use is very effective, in others it acts as a complement, and in some cases, it can generate contradictions and confusion, so the protection of citizens cannot rely exclusively on this system.
Parlon has emphasized the importance of a culture of self-protection in a climate change scenario that introduces "obvious" difficulties in accurately predicting certain meteorological episodes, such as the downpour recorded in Tarragona on Monday.
INUNCAT and emergency coordination
The Interior head has reminded that the Operational Coordination Center of Catalonia (CECAT) kept the Inuncat plan operational in alert phase since Thursday the 20th, with recommendations to exercise extreme caution in travel, outdoor activities, and in anticipation of heavy rains: "Es-Alert is not the only instrument."
In this regard, she defended that from Civil Protection and from her department, there was constant contact with the municipalities, the firefighters, and the 112 emergency number, so that, as she emphasized, "The population already had the information."
Parlon has assured that the Govern "continuously," through all available channels, conveys warnings when there is a weather forecast that makes the adoption of self-protection measures necessary. Nevertheless, he has indicated that a space for debate will be opened to analyze how the information and alert circuit to the citizenry can be improved.
Regarding the demand for explanations made by Junts, PP, Vox, and Comuns, he has stated that he will offer "all the necessary" in the next ordinary plenary session, either by answering the questions raised in the control session or appearing in the Interior Commission, if requested.