The Madrid City Council has just approved a protocol for the forecast of extreme rains, which affects several of its general directorates and seeks to draw up a practical guide to “achieve maximum protection for the population and, as far as possible, avoid or less reduce the damage that may occur to goods, essential services and the environment in risk areas.”
The decree, to which Somos Madrid has had access, includes a series of mandatory actions in the event of possible episodes of extreme rainfall, which may affect the normal functioning of public services. The text has been published a few days after the catastrophe that a DANA caused in Valencia and when more rains are announced for this week throughout the peninsula.
The measures included in the Action protocol in response to the forecast of extreme rains in the city of Madrid They affect the delegated area of Cleaning and Green Zones, in addition to the general directorates of Mobility and Urban Planning.
Among the most notable actions, which will take place when the emergency level is declared, includes 24-hour surveillance of the Manzanares River from the Telecontrol Center, both of its spillways and the level of the channel, “in order to detect any alarming modification of the this, and notify the emergency means.”
In addition, to reduce the risk of flooding, service personnel must clear vegetation and remove fallen trees in the affected areas, upstream and downstream, of spillways, walkways, dams and bridges. Homeless people living in areas at risk of flooding should also be monitored and informed to prevent them from suffering damage during a flood.
The protocol includes a proposal to mark flood zones, which in Madrid city are quite scarce and are limited to homes in the Barajas district, as well as public buildings in some areas of Aravaca, spaces at the Villa de Madrid Country Club, the sports park Puerta de Hierro or part of the municipal nurseries.
The municipal plan also emphasizes the adaptation, cleaning or unclogging of drainage elements, as well as the unclogging of drainage networks through some current contracts such as the conservation of green areas. And it orders paying “special attention to cleaning the outside of the scupper grates.”
Cranes and mobility agents
Regarding circulation on Madrid’s roads, Aemet’s warnings activate traffic congestion protocols due to rain, which generate a deployment of mobility agents at nine specific points of the “early shift.” Specifically in the roundabouts of Bilbao, San Vicente, San Antonio de la Florida, Santa María de la Cabeza or Méndez Álvaro, on Avenida de Pío XII, in Nudo Norte, in Plaza de Castilla and in Conde de Casal.
In addition, the placement of EMT and Calle 30 cranes is established to minimize the time it takes to respond to traffic incidents. This last system was implemented by the City Council after large congestion due to rain was recorded in the capital three years ago.
The protocol calls for the launching of messages asking for extreme attention to traffic, on warning panels on Madrid’s roads and in the tunnels of Calle 30.
The municipal text requires the removal or otherwise waterproofing of the temporary storage of debris or granular construction materials, to prevent rain from causing spills into the sewage system.
Finally, remember that in the processing of licenses for temporary activities in enclosures or open spaces that require the installation of temporary, portable or removable elements, and within the instructions drawn up for this purpose, the General Directorate of Buildings has prepared a protocol of recommendations to be followed by the organization of the event that includes a Climate Emergency Plan, with effective responses to emergency situations.
Historic downpours in the last year
The measures come a few days after the images that DANA left over Valencia but also after several months with important days of intense rain over Madrid. In October 2023, for example, the capital of Spain suffered a day of historic downpours, with several cuts on the Metro and Cercanías lines and significant pools of water in the streets of Madrid.
That day was the rainiest since records have been kept, but just a month ago the intense showers also left images of flooded suburban cars and other incidents.
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