In brief
Málaga experiences major flooding, prompting evacuations and cancellation of events amid ongoing weather alerts across Spain.
Málaga and several regions in southern Spain are grappling with exceptional rainfall and flooding, leading to the evacuation of approximately 3,000 residents living near the Guadalhorce River. The National meteorological agency Aemet has declared the area under a high alert status, anticipating severe rain and storms expected to last until Friday. Both Málaga and parts of northeastern Catalonia are particularly at risk due to a weather phenomenon known as a "Dana," which leads to prolonged periods of intense rainfall.The tourist hotspots of Marbella, Velez, and Estepona are projected to suffer from this unprecedented weather system, with forecasts indicating that Catalonia may see as much as 180mm of rain in a span of 12 hours. In response to the dire conditions, all schools in Málaga have been closed, creating eerily deserted streets as heavy rains continue to flood the city. Many supermarkets have also closed their doors to protect customers and staff from the weather's impact.The regional government has clarified they are focusing on specific areas problematic due to their proximity to the river, rather than comprehensive evacuations of entire towns. The government has communicated with national authorities for assistance from security forces as the situation escalates. Additionally, the severe weather conditions have led to the postponement of the Billie Jean King Cup match between Spain and Poland, scheduled for Wednesday in Málaga.As the weather crisis deepens, Aemet has extended flood alerts to parts of the Balearic Islands and implemented an orange alert in Andalusia, signaling potentially dangerous meteorological events. In other regions such as Valencia, the effects of an earlier flooding crisis that resulted in over 220 fatalities are still being dealt with, and temporary measures such as sandbag barriers have been erected.Meanwhile, rescue efforts are ongoing in Valencia as authorities confirm the discovery of the bodies of two young boys who were tragically swept away in last month’s floods. The boys’ family, who had been fervently searching for them, expressed their grief and relief upon receiving news of their recovery. This series of intense weather events underscores warnings from meteorological experts regarding the increased risks associated with climate change, highlighting the alarming reality of severe weather becoming more frequent. The Secretary General of the World Meteorological Organization emphasized the need for global awareness, using Spain's recent floods as a stark illustration of the growing urgency for climate action.
