Alicante will locate and eliminate illegal constructions in flood-prone areas

On October 29, the tragic DANA in Valencia mobilized the administrations. They have started to review channels and ravines, update flood zone maps, and take measures against possible river floods or torrential rain. This week, the Alicante City Council initiated the first works within the municipal plan to minimize risks in the face of climate emergencies.

On Friday, November 8, the Technical Risk Assessment Table for Climate Emergencies was established, chaired by the mayor, Luis Barcala. The first objective is to evaluate the state and development of a cleaning plan for infrastructures, ravines, and channels in the municipal area. This responsibility is shared between the City Council, the L'Alacantí Community, and the Júcar Hydrographic Confederation (CHJ), on which Alicante depends.

In addition, a meeting of the L'Alacantí Community will be convened to inform and request information from all municipalities sharing these infrastructures, ravines, and channels, aiming to work together on their maintenance.

The evaluation of flood-prone areas in the municipal area will include creating a map of these areas and a report on the location of constructions in flood-prone zones. Additionally, a plan for the eradication of illegal buildings in risk areas will be developed.

Among these buildings are some of the irregular settlements reported by residents in the rural areas of Alicante. These precarious constructions already accumulate 40 files in the Conselleria of Territory.

Finally, the table has agreed to develop a plan to disseminate prevention and action measures in case of emergencies. This will include an internal day for municipal staff and sessions aimed at the public and specific groups, as well as a dissemination campaign.