Madrid, Oct 20. (dpa/GNA) – The situation has largely eased in Spain’s Mediterranean holiday regions, after Storm Adam brought torrential rain and severe flooding.
In Valencia, the region hardest hit, all weather warnings have been lifted, and the movement restrictions that at times applied to more than 800,000 people have been cancelled.
The Balearic Islands, including Mallorca, and a small area of Catalonia remained under the third-highest Yellow warning level issued by the Spanish state weather service (AEMET) until Tuesday afternoon.
Rain at Playa de Palma beach in Mallorca is expected to give way to sunshine during the day, with temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius, much to the delight of tourists.
On Monday, Storm Adam caused severe damage, mainly in Valencia. Roads, houses and campsites were flooded, rivers burst their banks, and cars were swept away by the floodwaters. More than 450 people had to be rescued. Three people died in the regions of Valencia, and one each in Catalonia and Andalusia.
According to AEMET, the coastal town of Oliva, around 70 kilometres south of the provincial capital Valencia, recorded just over 530 millimetres within 24 hours. Two bodies were recovered there.
In Pego in the province of Alicante, more than 620 millimetres was measured.
On Mallorca and the neighbouring islands, the outcome was comparatively mild. Rescue services recorded around 300 incidents. These included fallen trees and flooded roads and buildings. Some buildings were also at risk of collapse.
Air traffic was significantly affected. Classes were cancelled as a precaution. No weather warnings apply for Wednesday. Showers could return at the weekend, but they are expected to be much weaker.
In many affected places, daily life was slowly returning on Tuesday, but the effects of the floodwaters remain clearly visible in some areas. Several roads remained closed, and houses and public buildings must be cleared of mud and water.
Schools in six particularly affected towns initially remained closed. The latest flooding brought back memories of the devastating floods of October 2024, which killed more than 230 people in the Valencia region.
GNA