Copyright majorcadailybulletin
The Emergency Services continue to urge the public to exercise ‘maximum caution’ in light of the storm affecting the Balearics today, Saturday. The Directorate-General for Emergencies and the Interior met this morning with the Technical Advisory Committee of the Special Plan against Adverse Meteorological Phenomena (Meteobal) to monitor the evolution of the storm that has been affecting the Balearics since early this morning. According to data from the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet), since early this morning, when the storm hit Ibiza, rainfall has been insignificant: 13 litres in Soller, six litres in Palma and Portopi, six litres in Formentera and four litres in Sant Antoni. As predicted, the storms have not been accompanied by lightning, and most of the rain has fallen over the sea, especially between the Ibiza and Mallorca. There has also been a significant drop in temperatures, with highs ranging between 15 and 18 degrees. During these early hours, only one incident has been reported in Palma, involving falling tree branches. According to the Aemet, early this afternoon the centre of the front will be over Mallorca and Menorca, and the forecast is for the weather situation to stabilise as the afternoon progresses in Mallorca and during the afternoon in Menorca. For today, Aemet has issued the following warnings: orange warning for rain in Mallorca (Serra de Tramuntana, north and north-east) and Menorca; yellow warning for rain and storms in Ibiza, Formentera and the inland, southern and eastern areas of Mallorca; and yellow warning for strong winds and coastal phenomena throughout the Balearics. However, it should be noted that the evolution of adverse weather conditions may lead to hourly updates of the AEMET warnings, which can be consulted on its website. In view of this situation, the Directorate-General for Emergencies and the Interior is maintaining the Meteobal Plan at the following levels: Severity Index 1 (IG-1 / orange) for rain and storms in Mallorca and Menorca, Severity Index 0 (IG-0 / yellow) for rain and storms in Ibiza and Formentera, and Severity Index 0 (IG-0 / yellow) for strong winds and coastal phenomena throughout the Balearics. The Emergency Services have asked local councils to activate their Municipal Emergency Plans (PEMU) in accordance with the alert level established by Civil Protection. In this regard, Palma City Council has already activated its PEMU. The Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Environment has established an expanded response to adverse weather conditions in Mallorca and Menorca. In Mallorca, the service is being reinforced with 19 forest firefighters, five environmental agents and an additional fire engine. In Menorca, the reinforced response includes 11 forest firefighters, two environmental agents and an additional fire engine. The Directorate-General for Emergencies and the Interior has once again recommended ‘maximum caution’ in the face of adverse weather conditions, especially in areas affected by orange warnings, and to follow the instructions of Civil Protection and the emergency services at all times. Emergencies has reminded the public that they should call 112 in the event of any emergency.
