Marga Prohens highlights the government’s cross-sector coordination to anticipate extreme weather events such as DANAs

The Government of the Balearic Islands today established INUNCAIB, the first integrated flood risk management body in the archipelago. This new institutional structure aims to improve prevention, forecasting capabilities and response to one of the main natural risks facing the Balearic territory: flooding, which is becoming increasingly frequent due to climate change.

The inaugural meeting was chaired by the President of the Government, Marga Prohens, and was attended by representatives from all areas of the Executive, as well as key institutions such as the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), and the Federation of Local Entities of the Balearic Islands (FELIB).

“For the first time, the directorates-general for Emergencies, Water Resources, Innovation and departments such as IB-Digital are working side by side to prevent and respond to flood risks,” Prohens emphasized.

presentación inuncaib inundaciones balears

Cross-sector coordination and technology to tackle flood risks

For the first time, INUNCAIB brings together the responsibilities of Civil Protection, hydraulic planning, and technology under one umbrella, promoting a coordinated approach based on scientific and technical data. This new model includes:

  • Basin sensorization and real-time monitoring.

  • Advanced weather forecasting, in collaboration with AEMET.

  • Permanent presence of a meteorologist at the Emergency Coordination Center during risk situations.

In addition, the Government has prepared an agreement with AEMET to enhance forecasting capacity, strengthen the territory’s sensor network, and optimize institutional response.

Complementary Government measures to prevent flooding

During the meeting, President Prohens outlined other ongoing actions:

  • Amendment of territorial regulations to increase safety in flood-prone areas.

  • Promotion of Municipal Emergency Plans (PEMUs): 9 already approved, 7 in draft stage, and 6 municipalities have requested technical support.

  • New OnCall emergency management system.

  • Agreement with IB-RED to use 39 surveillance cameras distributed across the territory.

  • Reinforcement of the TETRAIB communications network, essential during adverse weather episodes.

  • Stream cleaning operations: over 310 kilometers cleared in the past two years. An additional €17 million is earmarked for 2025.

Public awareness and self-protection campaign

To complement this institutional strategy, the Government will launch a public awareness campaign this month with practical self-protection advice in the event of flooding risks.

The President concluded the meeting by stating that “zero risk does not exist”, but assured that the Balearic Government is committed to providing maximum protection and safety for its citizens. “We are improving forecasts and increasing response capacity in the Balearic Islands,” she affirmed.

💡 Check the map of flood-prone areas in Mallorca in this article.