Barcelona has been hit with a red warning as catastrophic rainfall and floods wreak havoc on the city.
There’s been significant disruption at Barcelona El Prat airport after water was seen pouring through the terminal ceiling and flooding the runway. As reported by the Mirror, this has lead to multiple flight cancellations and diversions.
Dramatic footage shared on social media showed water gushing into the terminal as Barcelona becomes the latest Spanish city to be hit by terrible rainfall and floods. The torrential downpour began early on Monday morning and has resulted in most upcoming departures being either cancelled or delayed by at least an hour.
Meanwhile flights have been diverted to other airports, while arrivals have also been heavily impacted and passengers have been advised to check their flight status. Spain’s national weather agency, AEMET, has described the situation as “extreme danger due to torrential rain” and issued a stark warning: “Do not travel unless strictly necessary.”
They added that conditions could worsen as the day progresses, with more rainfall expected throughout the region. Meanwhile, Barcelona’s airport operator, Aena, has established a crisis committee to manage the disruption.
The flooding has prompted airport authorities to activate a crisis team to manage the situation, reports the Express. A spokesperson for Aena said: “We have activated a crisis team to manage the impacts of the rain.”
Efforts are underway to clear water from the terminal and runways, but the scale of the flooding is making this challenging. The flooding has also impacted travel around the airport, with reports of flooded roads and disruptions to public transport services.
High-speed trains between Barcelona and Tarragona have been suspended, affecting services operated by Renfe, Ouigo, and Iryo. Local services have also been halted, resulting in significant travel delays for commuters. Vueling, the primary airline operating at El Prat, has opened additional check-in counters to assist affected passengers.
A Vueling spokesperson said: “We are doing everything possible to assist passengers and minimise inconvenience.” Passengers are advised to contact their airlines for updates and review their travel insurance policies for potential compensation.
While some airlines may offer refunds or alternative flights, conditions can vary based on the policy and provider. Authorities emphasise the importance of staying informed and taking safety precautions as the situation develops.
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