[ad_1]
Solinas: “Too much bureaucracy prevented securing the country after cyclone Cleopatra”
CAGLIARI. The pain of the relatives of the victims, the despair of those who have lost everything, but also the willpower of those who spent the night cleaning mud and the solidarity of many volunteers who came from all corners of Sardinia. Bitti, following the flood that caused three deaths, is a town on its knees. In six hours, 313 mm of water fell from the sky. The images are shocking: streets and squares destroyed, houses invaded by mud and rubble. Isolated farmers in the field, millions of euros in damages. The saddest Sunday in the history of this town, 2,700 inhabitants in the heart of Barbagia, began with the discovery of the body of Lia Orunesu, the old woman overwhelmed by the fury of water and mud, at the door of her house, and scattered by yesterday morning. The body was one kilometer from his home, discovered by Civil Protection volunteers near the old sports field.
Bad weather also hit Sicily last night, with storms and a whirlwind hitting the outskirts of Catania. The president of the Sicilian Region, Nello Musumeci, declared a state of calamity, managing the recognition of the damages in Ragusa, Palermo and Catania. In Bitti, Sardinia, “the scenario is apocalyptic, an event three or four times greater than what had happened in 2013 with cyclone Cleopatra,” says Mayor Giuseppe Ciccolini, who received a visit from the head of civil protection Angelo Borrelli the presidents of the regional council Christian Solinas and the regional council, Michele Pais. While tomorrow morning the Undersecretary of Defense Giulio Calvisi will arrive. Including the Army, with the Sassari Brigade and the specialists of the 5th regiment of sapper engineers, stationed in Macomer , arrived in Bitti with earthmoving equipment and personnel.
“The water has exceeded 3/4 meters while in 2013 it had risen one meter. We knew we were not safe – continues the mayor – because we were planning security measures and now this situation forces us to review everything. We will put strength and tenacity into this, we will do it again this time. Yes, because Bitti was one of the countries most affected by the flood of November 18, 2013. “Too much bureaucracy prevented the territories from being secured despite the allocation of resources after cyclone Cleopatra – defendant Solinas – I will ask from now on a preferential lane for these works, otherwise we will always pay heavy taxes during these events ».
Rome will not leave Sardinia alone, Borrelli said. “As it does not leave the other regions of Italy alone – said the head of Civil Protection – since Friday we have been in constant contact with Sardinia, Sicily, Calabria and all the regions affected by the riots.” And from Rome came the call from the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, to Governor Solinas to inquire about the state of the places affected by bad weather and to express solidarity. “We found a challenging situation – said Borrelli – well faced by the rescue machine. Unfortunately there are three victims and that is what we most regret. We are working to restore the situation and return to normal soon. (Andrea Frigo / ANSA).
