Opposition parties call for proactive flood measures
As Barcelona faces another episode of heavy rainfall this week, the municipal groups of Junts and ERC are demanding that Mayor Jaume Collboni’s government implement a comprehensive, forward-looking plan to improve the city’s resilience. Both parties have criticised the current administration’s reactive approach, warning that without structural changes, the city will continue to face recurring flooding with increasing frequency. Junts will present a formal proposal at Wednesday 21st October’s Security Commission, calling for a serious and planned adaptation policy. This includes reinforcing the cleaning of sewers, drains, and collectors, integrating urban drainage solutions, and enhancing flood protection for municipal facilities. The proposal follows the declaration of an emergency situation by the city council on 6th October 2026, after torrential rains caused significant disruptions.
“Either the municipal government prepares itself, or it will continue to manage emergencies reactively, never learning its lesson,”
said Neus Munté, spokesperson for Junts. She specifically highlighted areas prone to recurrent flooding, including Ronda de Dalt, Vall d'Hebron Hospital, and certain metro stations and tunnels, as priorities for intervention.
Focus on vulnerable communities and infrastructure
ERC echoed these concerns, urging the government to move beyond emergency responses and establish a prepared, coordinated strategy. Deputy spokesperson Jordi Coronas stressed the need to honour commitments to mountain neighbourhoods and homeless populations, which were severely affected during recent downpours. He called for identifying vulnerable points, inspecting torrents, slopes, and retaining walls, and ensuring emergency access routes remain viable during storms. Coronas also demanded that the electricity provider guarantee reliable service during extreme weather, noting that power outages exacerbate risks for vulnerable residents.
“In the city, there are many families too rich to receive aid, but too poor to make ends meet,”
he said, announcing that ERC will also push for expanded municipal aid for middle-class families during this week’s commissions. The party argues current criteria no longer reflect the real cost of living in Barcelona and seeks to broaden access without reducing support for the most disadvantaged.
Junts has outlined ten specific measures to strengthen the city’s capacity to handle extreme rainfall, framing the initiative as both a practical necessity and a tribute to emergency workers whose efforts during the October crisis were essential. According to the group, recognising their work means ensuring they have the tools and resources to respond effectively in future events. Residents in flood-prone zones are advised to monitor updates via the Barcelona City Council’s official portal and remain alert to weather alerts issued by MeteoCat.
Primary sources: Barcelona City Council. Reported by beteve.cat, Marina Segura i Vidal, junts.barcelona, vallhebron.com, en.ara.cat, vhir.vallhebron.com, betevé.
