Storm Devastation: Areas in Málaga and Valencia Under Severe Weather Alerts
The early hours of Thursday have seen a return to chaos in Málaga and Valencia following heavy rainfall, reviving the traumatic effects of the DANA weather pattern. The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has issued extreme red alerts due to the torrential rains expected to persist across these regions. In Málaga, this red warning will remain in effect until 8 AM Thursday, while Valencia faces a similar alert until noon.
Major rainfalls, expected to be heavy and persistent, have also led to orange alerts in various southern and western parts of Andalusia. AEMET has particularly highlighted areas in Granada, including the Genil basin, coastal areas, Sierra Nevada, and Alpujarras, as being at risk.
In the wake of this ongoing storm, AEMET raised the alert levels in Valencia’s southern interior, particularly in Castellón, where over 70 storm-related operations were reported, including 14 rescue missions for isolated individuals. An extensive monitoring campaign in metropolitan Valencia has been ramped up, following a recent DANA event just two weeks prior.
In Málaga, the night was marked by significant rain, leading to widespread emergency actions. Authorities reported heavy downpours causing the rambla of Poyo in Ribarroja to overflow, tragically resulting in a flood. This prompted preventive evacuations, increasing the number of displaced individuals in the Guadalhorce river area to over 4,210.
The Andalusian government has also decided to suspend classes in Málaga, Granada, and parts of Cádiz, Sevilla, and Huelva, as a precaution against the harsh weather conditions.
In addition to human evacuations, local police and firefighters successfully rescued 39 dogs and 41 horses from a flood-threatened equestrian center in Málaga, highlighting the extensive damage and danger posed by the floods. The Provincial Fire Consortium responded swiftly to an additional emergency which involved a lightning strike igniting a large wooden house in La Viñuela, further emphasizing the challenges faced by emergency services during this time.
Road closures continue to pose a problem for commuting, with six roads blocked due to flooding—three in Granada, two in Málaga, and one in Cádiz. Nearly a thousand incidents related to the storm have occurred across Andalusia, with a staggering 760 incidents recorded in Málaga alone.
As for Valencia, the red alert remains concerning, with accumulated rainfall exceeding 80 liters per square meter noted in Cullera. Municipal authorities have announced temporary and exceptional restrictions across 170 municipalities in the Valencian Community to ensure public safety, including the suspension of educational and sports activities.
These proactive measures reflect the seriousness of the storm, as officials urge citizens to remain aware of and comply with safety protocols and travel restrictions, only allowing for necessary travel related to health and emergency services.
The persistent threat from the DANA continues to loom over Andalusia and parts of Valencia, with early assessments suggesting that recovery efforts will likely be necessary before life can return to normal for the affected communities.
Related Sources: