Bahia implements emergency plans to combat El Niño impacts

The state of Bahia is implementing emergency measures to mitigate the impacts of El Niño, focusing on public communication and water security. The government has launched a preventive alert system via WhatsApp to reach citizens across all 417 municipalities. These alerts are organized into three priority levels to ensure that the most exposed areas receive specialized attention regarding extreme heat and low humidity.

In response to potential water shortages, the state has established an emergency response plan led by the Secretariat of Water Infrastructure and Sanitation (SIHS). This protocol involves a coordinated effort between the Civil Defense, CERB, and EMBASA to address municipal requests. The plan includes a technical workflow designed to deploy corrective measures within 7 to 10 days, involving field inspections and technical diagnoses to ensure water supply stability.

Climate forecasts indicate temperatures exceeding 41°C in parts of central-west Bahia, with relative humidity potentially dropping below 15%. These conditions increase the risks of forest fires and health issues, prompting the state to integrate communication and infrastructure strategies to manage the climatic phenomenon.