Immediate Protection After Weekend Storms
A brigade from the Barcelona Firefighters installed temporary anti-flood barriers at the Escola de Bosc de Montjuïc and Institut Bosc de Montjuïc on Wednesday, following analysis of storm damage by officials from the Education Consortium and the schools. The red plastic barriers, which resemble seats but are not for sitting, were put in place after intense rainfall over the weekend caused flooding across parts of Barcelona.
Vulnerable Location Exposed
Jordi Marrón, academic secretary of the Institut Bosc de Montjuïc, explained that during heavy rain, water flows down from the area around the Joan Miró Foundation, floods the sports court, and then moves toward the lowest points of the site via connecting staircases. These lead directly to ground-floor areas of both educational centres. Last Saturday’s downpours allowed water to enter the ground floors, reaching a depth of about 30 centimetres in the gymnasium. The force of the flow was strong enough to break the glass door at one entrance.
This morning the centre was fine. We understand it worked, even though less water fell than over the weekend.
Easy Assembly, Short-Term Fix
The system proved effective during Tuesday’s rain, marking its first real test. According to Marrón, the barriers are simple to assemble and remove, with several students helping install them. The firefighters will retrieve the units within the next 48 hours as the immediate risk of rain subsides. Despite this success, school officials stress the need for a permanent solution. They are working with the Education Consortium to study structural interventions that would prevent future water ingress. For now, the availability of these portable defences offers reassurance. If extreme weather returns before long-term fixes are implemented, the barriers can be rapidly redeployed to protect the facilities.
Reported by beteve.cat, Marta de San Nicolás, agora.xtec.cat, naciodigital.cat, lavanguardia.com, betevé.
