The Catalan Government is preparing to install three new weather radars in the Alt Pyrenees as part of a broader plan to strengthen flood preparedness at campsites in the region.
The measure is included in a new decree law scheduled for approval this Tuesday, which requires an assessment of the flood risk at each campsite and the steps operators must take to improve safety during adverse weather events.
On Monday, Interior Minister Núria Parlon and Miguel Gotanegra, president of the Federation of Campsites of Catalonia, presented the agreement, which both described as the result of consensus.
Once the decree passes through Parliament, the Interior Ministry will allocate €6 million to fund the radars, with installation beginning next year.
Following a review of 40 possible sites, the devices will be placed in La Peülla near Bonaigua, on the Orri peak in Pallars Sobirà, and in Tossa de Alp in Cerdanya.
The new radars will complement the four already operating in Tivissa, Vallirana, Panadella, and Puig d’Arques. Authorities said the devices are expected to improve rainfall and snowfall detection accuracy by 90 percent and will serve not only campsites but also wider mountain regions.
The decree also calls for a detailed, campsite-by-campsite survey to identify hazards and outline the safety measures needed at each facility.
Parlon noted that the evaluation will begin with 16 campsites located in areas previously flagged as flood-prone. She stressed, however, that “there are no blacklists” and that “this is not a decree to close campsites, but rather to ensure the best risk management.”
Potential recommendations could include relocating camping areas or bungalows, investing in early warning systems, or establishing evacuation protocols. “Not all campsites are in the same situation; we have to go case by case,” Parlon explained.
The initiative replaces an earlier decree withdrawn in March that had raised concerns about possible closures.
Gotanegra expressed relief that the new framework focuses on collaboration rather than restrictions, pointing out that after last year’s flooding in the Valencian Community, some campsites were “unfairly targeted.”
He added that the sector has been working to improve safety but faces challenges due to outdated information. “We’re starting from scratch and with new technology because the information we have now [on campsite facilities] is completely outdated,” he said in a report published by ARA.
A previous estimate suggested that of Catalonia’s nearly 400 campsites, around 15—primarily in the Pyrenees—were at high risk of flooding, while another 100 faced medium risk.
For professionals in the outdoor hospitality industry, the decree signals a shift toward proactive risk management supported by public investment in technology.
Operators will need to prepare for site-specific assessments and potential infrastructure adjustments.
While this may involve costs and operational changes, the new framework provides access to updated data and potential financial aid to implement improvements, positioning the sector to better withstand extreme weather events.