The Barcelona housing demonstration has been moved from Saturday to Monday, 5 October. Authorities issued their highest-level rain warnings and urged people to avoid unnecessary travel and outdoor activity.
Meteocat raised the rain danger to its maximum level for Saturday afternoon. Some areas could receive up to 90 millimetres in 30 minutes. The warning covers the entire central coast on Saturday, with the heaviest rain expected to move north-west on Sunday towards Girona and parts of Barcelona province.
The housing demonstration in Barcelona was due to start at 18:00 on Saturday at Plaça Espanya and continue towards L'Hospitalet. Organisers have moved it to Monday, 5 October, at 19:00 in Plaça Urquinaona. They cited repeated instructions to avoid unnecessary travel and outdoor activity.
The protest is delayed, not canceled.
The Generalitat prepared restrictions for 20 comarques from 20:00 on Saturday until 14:00 on Sunday. Non-essential travel will be limited. Activities in natural areas, urban parks and gardens will be suspended. Sports, cultural and leisure events will also be affected, along with outdoor markets, fairs and other public gatherings.
Организаторы перенесли акцию на понедельник, 5 октября: начало запланировано на 19:00 на Plaça Urquinaona.
This was not a routine weather update.
President Salvador Illa said a Mediterranean mini-hurricane was approaching Catalonia. He warned that the weather situation ahead would be highly complex. The Govern urged residents to follow prevention measures from Saturday afternoon through Sunday.
Civil Protection separately advised people to limit travel and outdoor activity. Officials said the conditions could put citizens at unnecessary risk.
The affected areas include Alt Empordà, Baix Empordà, Alt Penedès, Baix Llobregat, Barcelonès, Garraf, Garrotxa, Gironès, Pla de l'Estany, Vallès Occidental, Vallès Oriental, Maresme, Selva, Alt Camp, Baix Camp, Baix Penedès, Osona, Ripollès, Tarragonès and Moianès.
The Govern expects to send an ES-Alert with the restrictions. The Procicat spokesperson said activities planned for Saturday afternoon should be moved to another time. The public should not be exposed to dangerous conditions.
В предшествующие дни юг Каталонии уже сталкивался с сильными ливнями, красными уровнями опасности и уведомлениями ES-Alert. В отдельных районах были зафиксированы локальные подтопления, что стало частью затяжного штормового эпизода, а не изолированного кратковременного ухудшения погоды.
According to Meteocat, the main risks include exceptionally intense downpours, dangerous weather phenomena and local flooding in coastal and foothill areas. The rain is expected to shift north-west on Sunday towards Girona and parts of Barcelona province.
AEMET has also issued red alerts for Barcelona and Girona because of the extraordinary danger from torrential rain. The most difficult period is expected from Saturday night until Sunday midday. Flooding is possible, and rivers and streams could rise.
Barcelona City Council activated its municipal heavy-rain action plan at alert level on Friday. Girona City Council said it would activate its plan at 17:00 on Saturday and suspend all activities scheduled for Sunday.
The reason is clear. Authorities are closing outdoor activities across the affected areas. The measures do not target the housing demonstration itself.
The storm had already produced intense rain in southern Catalonia. Meteocat recorded more than 100 millimetres in Terres de l'Ebre between Thursday and Saturday. Parts of Montsià and Baix Ebre received more than 200 millimetres.
The highest totals included 282.5 millimetres in les Cases d'Alcanar and 276.6 millimetres in l'Ametlla de Mar.
For residents, the immediate question is whether reaching an event is sensible under the announced restrictions. Outdoor gatherings are suspended, and red alerts are in force for Barcelona and Girona.
Organisers chose to reschedule the protest. Public safety measures now take priority during the period of greatest flood risk.
