Spain prevents 10 thousand people from going out after the storms

The inhabitants of the Catalan municipality of Alcanar were affected. There fell 215 liters of rain per square meter in 24 hours.

Because of the severe storms that hit large parts of Spain, about 10,000 people were not allowed to leave their homes and apartments on Sunday. For the Catalan municipality of Alcanar in the northeast of the country, the emergency service said, an indefinite exit ban was imposed due to the risk of severe flooding.

Canary residents are advised to go to the upper floors of the houses if possible. 215 liters of rain per square meter fell in just 24 hours. Train service between Valencia and Barcelona was suspended due to the rain, as announced by the Spanish railway company Renfe.

Two men drowned

Spain has been experiencing severe storms with heavy rain, thunderstorms and hurricanes since Saturday, which should last until at least Monday morning in some areas. For regions in Andalusia and Castile-La Mancha as well as in the capital, Madrid, the National Meteorological Service Aemet has declared the highest red alert. There was a warning of heavy rain. Many country roads had to be closed due to the floods, and parks were closed. And in Madrid, the La Liga football match between Atletico and Sevilla on Sunday was postponed at short notice.

It attributed the deaths of two men, aged 34 and 31, to bad weather on Saturday. The two were doing so-called canoeing in a group of eight in Zaragoza — athletic walking in a strait — when, according to their companions, they fell into the torrential waters and drowned, the media reported, quoting the authorities.

On the popular holiday island of Mallorca, the situation remained calm despite a storm warning at the third highest level, which is yellow. According to the governing body INA, the average delay at Palma airport was 50 minutes. So far, she added, no flight has been canceled on Sunday. Several ferries connecting the Balearic Islands to the mainland have been cancelled. Majorca was hit by storm Betty last weekend, which led to chaos, especially at Son Sant Joan airport in Palma. (APA/DPA)