The Balearic meteorological centre has sent to the Balearic Government a detailed report about the “rissagas” (meteo-tsunamis) experienced in Cuitadella over the last 5 years in an attempt to plan a solution and to give some better guidance to their prediction.
The report states that “over the last few weeks the situation has been exceptional with continual alerts and actual rissagas”. In fact since April there have been 19 cases, of which 6 have resulted in sea level oscillations of at least 2 metres ( 3 in the early hours of 19 June). Also included in this report is the explanation of their cause.
Because of the ports configuration combined with certain atmospheric conditions, like drop in pressure; high humidity; and the arrival of hot air from North Africa it is susceptible to the massive exit and re-entry of water!
For many years the local fishermen have been aware of this and are particularly wary when rain carries and drops Sahara sand.
One interesting point is that on the 15th almost all of the fishermen made out to sea before the tsunami hit!
On the 15th June Cuitadella experienced the most violent rissaga in 22 years with an oscillation of the port’s sea level of 5 metres.
Previously in 1984 in the dawn of 20/21 July there was a similar oscillation but because less yachts were moored in the port the damage was less extensive.
This year the phenomenon occurred at 21:00 whilst oscillations of the sea level started to occur around 19:30.
At around 21:00 observers claim that “the water completely drained and the bottom of the port was clearly visible” followed by a five metre wave which entered the port, sank 42 boats and damaged around 100 others whilst pouring into the many bars and restaurants around the port..
The total damage has been estimated at 9 million Euros !
Although this can be attributed to a natural disaster, the inevitable squabbling and finger pointing at the government has followed, and there have been some heated meetings involving the Port Authority, government ministers, and representatives from yacht clubs, fisherman´s associations, the police and commercial vessel operators who regularly use the port.
None the less, President Juame Matas has given personal assurances that his government is giving the highest priority to creating a definitive solution regarding the future commercial viability of Ciutadella Port.
In particular the construction of a protective dike will be progressed, with a target to have it completed and functional within three years.