Spain’s weather crisis is continuing, with yet another warning of heavy rain issued, following severe flooding on the mainland last week, and in Majorca just days ago.
The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) in the Balearics just upgraded a weather alert for heavy rain and storms across Majorca today (Thursday, 7 November) warning that conditions will be particularly severe on the east coast of the island.
The delegate and spokesperson for the Aemet in the Balearics, María José Guerrero, says that up to 25 litres of rain per square metre may fall, reports the Majorca Daily Bulletin. Authorities added that they believe that up to 80 litres of rain per square metre in total may accumulate in this area within the space of 12 hours.
The 112 emergency centre activated the severity index (IG-1) of the Meteobal for rain and storms and have asked for “great caution.”
The warning comes in the wake of similar heavy rain that swept the holiday hotspot just four days ago, causing widespread flooding.
The new Majorca weather warning also follows tragic scenes on the mainland last week, when flash flooding devastated Valencia. At least 220 people were declared dead in the aftermath, with authorities still searching for 89 missing people.
The torrents of mud-stained water wreaked havoc from Malaga to Valencia’s east coast. Horrific footage and photographs circulating online showed violent floodwaters engulfing cars, reaching alarming heights.
In response to the crisis, about 1,000 soldiers from an emergency brigade of Spain’s military were mobilized to help with rescue attempts.
Angry flood survivors flung mud at Spain’s king when he visited in the aftermath of the disaster. King Felipe VI and top government officials were pelted during their first visit to the epicentre of the flooding.
“Get out! Get out!” and “Killers!” the crowd shouted, among other insults, at the officials. Queen Letizia and regional Valencia president Carlo Mazon were also among those in the contingent.
A British couple, Vitalij Farafonov and his wife, found themselves stranded in their car for ten hours amid the chaos, recounting to Sky News: “It was mayhem as we counted nine or 10 overturned lorries on a half mile stretch of the motorway. We’ve never seen anything like it.”
Thankfully, the weather in Majorca is predicted to improve as we move into the weekend, with forecasters predicting nothing more devastating than occasional light rainfall, mist, and some morning fog.
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