Tarragona flooding causes fatalities and sparks maintenance concerns

Torrential rains in the province of Tarragona have resulted in fatalities and renewed concerns regarding flood management. In Roda de Berà, a mother and daughter died following injuries sustained when a wall collapsed during a heavy storm on August 22. This tragedy has drawn comparisons to the significant Francolí river flooding in October 2019, which caused six deaths in the province.

In El Vendrell, residents of the Francàs area near the border with Roda de Berà are reporting risks posed by an unmaintained stream running adjacent to their homes. Neighbors claim that during heavy rainfall, the stream carries significant amounts of mud and debris. Recently, four large pine trees fell into the watercourse, creating a potential dam; firefighters had to intervene to prevent further damage.

Local residents have expressed frustration over a perceived lack of maintenance, calling on the Agència Catalana de l’Aigua and the El Vendrell City Council to take action. The Mayor of El Vendrell, Kenneth Martínez, noted the absence of a clear protocol regarding the maintenance and management of these streams.