Raed Arafat explains detailed recommendations for the Red Code of torrential rains. How can the RO-Alert system be changed in the coming years
Torrential rains in Bucharest Photo: Inquam Photos / Octav Ganea
Raed Arafat, the head of the Emergency Department, said at Digi24 that the RO-Alert system is to be modified in the future so that the warning messages can be transmitted through the TVs or the radio. Also, Arafat explained in detail the reasons for the recommendations transmit to the population with the proximity of the Barbara storm.
Raed Arafat said that it is excluded that the RO-Alert warning system should be used less as a result of complaints related to the deletion caused by noisy alarms. Moreover, RO-Allert messages could be transmitted in the future and by means other than mobile phones.
“RO-Alert has saved lives. This thing with panic has to forget it. In solid protection countries the concept that causes panic does not exist. There it is explained, we communicate (…) I had situations with bears in the localities. Those inside the houses are very disturbed, but no one thinks that there are people on the street,”
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He mentioned that a model from the United States is taken into account, where the similar system transmits the message, with the sound warning, and to all the TVs that are opened at that time, for the message to reach those who have closed phones.
“We are trying to do this in a year or two on European funds or the use of satellite networks when the terrestrial networks fall,” said Arafat. Another project is that RO-Allert messages can be transmitted by radio, targeted in particular drivers. Arafat said that these extensions of the RO-Alert system could be implemented at too high costs.
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Referring to the comments on social networks, according to which the authorities exaggerate in the warnings addressed to the population in connection with the Barbara storm, Raed Arafat said: “Let's see who is behind this iureș. There may be some who want to destroy the confidence in the authorities. studied by reducing confidence in state institutions.
Recommendations for population, explained in detail
The head of DSU explained the need to comply with each of the recommendations made these days. Thus, battery radio is necessary as any digital system can fall in emergency situations, even if the probability is low. Thus, the radio remains an alternative source of information.
Secondly, the recommendation for people to avoid travel that are not necessary is that, within the codes issued by the authorities, sudden aggravations of the situation may occur, which can only be anticipated before.
“You are exposed, you do not know how the situation evolves, there are nowcasting situations, warnings about phenomena that appear in 10 minutes. If it is not the essential movement, it is normal to stay home, especially during the night (…) it is not known what the flood will be, what intensity will be for certain hours,” said Arafat.
He pointed out that a storm like Barbara involves risks primarily for floodable rural areas and less for cities. In these regions, it is crucial that people do not try to cross the watercourses, no matter how small they seem.
“People are wrong, I see that the water is 30-40 cm and I think they can cross it. At 40 cm, the water can take any man and take it with it. That's why we say that you should never sit on the shore, because you can scratch, or cross the flood. No matter how small the water course is, it can take you.”
As for the residents of the cities, Arafat asked that the residents of the block be careful what objects are on the balcony. If they can be taken by a strong wind, they must be well fixed or, if not, put in the house. He mentioned a recent case in the case of Ilfov, where a woman was killed in the house by an object taken by a balcony.
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