The 27 people evacuated due to the flooding in Praid will only be able to return to their homes after a period of monitoring using micro-seismic sensors, announced Dr. Raed Arafat, head of the Department for Emergency Situations (DSU).

„The evacuated individuals will remain evacuated. The only time we can bring them back, after a very thorough analysis, is once the micro-seismic sensors are implemented. Based on recommendations from experts, including those from the European Commission and European Civil Protection, a period of monitoring will follow. This may take weeks, and only if the data is reassuring can people return to their homes. These include one of the 45 evacuated homes, many of which are vacation homes that were unoccupied,” Arafat explained in a press statement at Victoria Palace.

Arafat underscored that people will be allowed to return only after a „high-performance” monitoring system is installed, capable of confirming whether conditions are safe.

„From the information we have, 27 people were evacuated. In order for them to return, we must ensure, through the proper implementation of this advanced monitoring system, that it is safe. And if any changes occur, a re-evacuation could be triggered,” he added.

The secretary of state also noted that the wellness area, which includes a saltwater pool, will only reopen after the micro-seismic monitoring system is in place.

„We are awaiting a technical report from the experts who were on site. We met with them during our visit two days ago and discussed their preliminary conclusions. We are in ongoing contact with them, and the full report is expected within 15 days of their mission’s conclusion, hopefully even sooner, within 10-12 days,” Arafat said.

AGERPRES