The province of Córdoba, along with Santa Fe and Entre Ríos, agreed on a joint strategy for prevention and response to extreme weather events, within the framework of the meeting of the Permanent Table for Management of Complex Emergencies of the Central Region, held in the city of Córdoba.
The meeting concluded with the signing of a reciprocity, cooperation, and collaboration agreement that establishes permanent mechanisms to share information, coordinate resources, and provide assistance among the three jurisdictions. The agreement includes, among other aspects, prevention and response actions against the possible effects of the El Niño phenomenon.
One of the main points of the agreement is the creation of the Regional System for Information, Alert, and Coordination for Extreme Weather Events. This tool will allow the integration of meteorological, hydrological, territorial, and infrastructure information to strengthen anticipation capacity and improve decision-making.
Technical teams of the Central Region
Additionally, the provinces will form technical teams, develop regional risk maps, and advance a Regional Protocol for Response to Meteorological Emergencies. The agreement also includes training and drills, the participation of municipalities and communes, and the coordinated planning of preventive works and actions.
Cooperation will also extend to the availability of resources. In the event of an emergency that exceeds the response capacity of one of the jurisdictions, the others may provide personnel, vehicles, machinery, equipment, communication systems, supplies, and technical assistance.
The Secretary of Regional Integration and International Relations of Córdoba, Carlos Massei, framed the call within the governors' decision to strengthen joint work in the face of emergency situations. “Each of the provinces is already doing its part, but it is very important that, within this framework of strengthening the integration of the Central Region, we can work together,” he stated.
For Massei, it is essential to know and coordinate the actions already being developed by Córdoba, Santa Fe, and Entre Ríos. In this regard, he considered the agreement as a framework of reciprocity and solidarity among the three jurisdictions. “Whenever we have these issues, we need to be attentive to what may happen to another province,” he affirmed.
Permanent monitoring and technical coordination
The Minister of Infrastructure and Public Services of Córdoba, Fabián López, described the regional articulation as “a fundamental step” to coordinate measures in response to events that can affect both urban centers and productive, commercial, and industrial activities.
By decision of Governor Martín Llaryora, Córdoba established a specific cabinet to address the El Niño phenomenon, composed of various areas of the provincial government.
Among its main actions is the periodic monitoring of the evolution of the phenomenon through monthly meetings involving representatives from the National Meteorological Service, the Hydrometeorological Observatory of Córdoba, INTI, and Conicet, among other agencies and specialists.
“The best way to prepare for El Niño is to carry periodic information that gives us a medium-term perspective,” López considered.
The minister differentiated this type of analysis from short-term weather forecasts. The meetings are focused on studying climate trends leading up to summer and, subsequently, to autumn 2027, with the aim of having the best available information to guide preventive policies.
“In these meetings, we do not discuss forecasts of what will happen in a few days, but rather medium-term climate and meteorological trends, which give us an idea of what we believe may happen,” he specified.
The next follow-up meeting will take place on September 24, and Córdoba invited representatives and specialists from Santa Fe and Entre Ríos to join this instance.
The intention is that regional participation allows for unifying information, sharing diagnoses, and building a common perspective on the evolution of the phenomenon.
“In the face of El Niño, it is very good that the first thing we do is coordinate and have a consensual view of where we are, what we believe may come, and based on that, see what type of articulation we can develop,” López expressed.
Short-term information and prevention
During his speech, López also referred to the work of the Hydrometeorological Observatory of Córdoba, a cooperation space among national, provincial, and local agencies that integrates meteorological and hydrological information.
The agency has satellite, numerical, and radar tools that allow for forecasts of between 48 and 72 hours. Córdoba currently has two hydrometeorological radars that cover a large part of the provincial territory and sectors of the Central Region.
In this context, the minister proposed to articulate this information with the existing capabilities in Santa Fe and Entre Ríos, in order to expand coverage and improve regional forecasts.
“Short-term information is extremely important for carrying out actions in the face of events that are already anticipated and that may impact the territory,” he emphasized.
López also reviewed the experiences developed in Córdoba regarding integrated watershed management, with the participation of the National University of Córdoba and consortia linked to soil conservation, rural road infrastructure, and water management.
Another aspect addressed was the conduct of drills to prepare not only public agencies but also the population for possible emergency situations.
