Storm Harry left a lasting impression on Malta. Roads turned into rivers, debris was scattered across communities, and residents were left scrambling for information as conditions rapidly deteriorated. While the storm itself was unavoidable, the confusion and uncertainty surrounding it were not. In moments like these, timely and reliable communication can mean the difference between safety and serious harm. We are grateful to the authorities who issued a warning, and held a press conference a few hours before, and I am sure this contributed greatly to less incidents and thankfully no fatalities. Yet Malta still lacks a nationwide emergency alert system capable of instantly warning people where and when danger is unfolding.
Across Europe, other countries have already taken decisive steps to close this gap. Thirteen of them have the system in place for several or few years, and another eight are upgrading their systems. Latvia, for example, recently tapped on EU funds and introduced cell broadcast. This technology, which in simple terms is a modern mobile phone emergency alert system that sends warnings directly to devices in affected areas, represents a shift in how authorities communicate during crises. And it offers valuable lessons for Malta as extreme weather events become more frequent and severe.
Unlike traditional SMS messages or mobile applications, cell broadcast alerts do not rely on phone numbers, subscriptions, or internet connectivity. Messages are transmitted directly from mobile network towers to all compatible devices within a specific geographic area. Anyone present, residents, tourists, foreign workers, receives the alert automatically. There is no need to sign up, install software, or follow specific social media accounts. The message simply appears on the screen, accompanied by a distinctive alert sound that immediately signals urgency.
Latvia launched its system in mid-2025 as part of a broader effort to modernise public safety infrastructure. The alerts are used for severe weather warnings, floods, hazardous incidents. They can also be used for missing persons and other threats to public safety. Importantly, the system allows authorities to tailor messages by location and urgency, ensuring that warnings reach only those who need them, without causing unnecessary alarm elsewhere.
For Malta, the relevance is clear. As a small, densely populated island with limited evacuation routes and a heavy reliance on road infrastructure, Malta is particularly vulnerable to sudden disruptions. Flash flooding, strong winds, maritime incidents, large traffic accidents, and industrial hazards all pose risks that can escalate quickly. When communication relies primarily on television, radio, social media, or word of mouth, vital information can arrive too late, and unfortunately in some cases not at all.
Storm Harry exposed these weaknesses. While some warnings were issued in advance, many people were unaware of how serious conditions would become or which areas were most at risk. Social media updates were inconsistent, and not everyone was watching the news or checking their phones at the right moment. Not to mention that we still have a proportion of our population that is digitally illiterate. A cell broadcast alert, by contrast, would have reached people wherever they were, cutting through the noise with a clear, authoritative message.
One of the key strengths of such a system is its reliability during emergencies. Mobile networks often become congested during crises as people attempt to call loved ones or access information online. Cell broadcast technology operates differently, allowing alerts to be delivered even when networks are under heavy strain. This makes it particularly effective during large-scale events when communication systems are most vulnerable.
Beyond weather-related threats, the potential applications extend far wider. In some countries the system can also be used to warn of major road accidents, dangerous chemical spills, or other incidents requiring people to avoid certain areas. It can support missing person alerts, public health emergencies, and urgent appeals such as critical blood donation shortages. In a country like Malta, where major road incidents can quickly paralyse traffic and emergency services, the ability to instantly redirect or inform motorists could significantly reduce secondary accidents and delays.
For a nation that welcomes millions of tourists each year, the benefits are even more pronounced. Visitors are often unfamiliar with local risks, geography, or emergency procedures. A mobile alert delivered in multiple languages could provide clear instructions during an emergency, ensuring that tourists receive the same level of protection as residents. This is not just a matter of safety, but also of reputation, as a country's ability to protect those within its borders increasingly factors into how destinations are perceived.
Critically, such a system does not replace existing warning channels. On the contrary, it strengthens them. In Latvia, mobile alerts are designed to work alongside sirens, media broadcasts, and online updates, forming a layered communication strategy. This redundancy ensures that if one channel fails or is missed, others remain available. Regular testing also familiarises the public with the alerts, reducing panic and improving compliance when real emergencies occur.
Of course, implementing a cell broadcast system requires coordination and investment. Government authorities must work closely with mobile network operators, emergency services, and regulatory bodies. Clear protocols are needed to determine when alerts are issued, who authorises them, and how messages are phrased to avoid confusion. Latvia's experience shows that these challenges are manageable, particularly when supported by European funding mechanisms and shared technical standards.
The cost of inaction, however, may be far higher. As climate change drives more frequent and intense storms across the Mediterranean, Malta cannot afford to rely on fragmented communication methods. Each severe weather event brings not only physical damage, but also economic disruption and strain on emergency services. A modern alert system would not prevent storms, accidents, or disasters, but it would give people the information they need to make safer choices in real time.
Ultimately, Storm Harry should serve as a catalyst rather than a footnote. It highlighted the limits of Malta's current emergency communication approach and underscored the need for a system that meets the realities of the modern world. Its use demonstrates that effective, population-wide mobile alerts are not futuristic or experimental. They are practical, proven, and already in use elsewhere in Europe.
The question is no longer whether Malta faces risks that justify such a system, but whether it is willing to invest in the tools that can reduce their impact. In an age when almost every adult carries a mobile phone, failing to use that reach during emergencies is a missed opportunity - one that future storms may not forgive.
Norma Camilleri is Nationalist Party candidate for the 13th district