A red weather alert has swept through the Costa del Sol region of southern Spain, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate their homes due to extreme rainfall and flooding. The Civil Protection Agency issued an urgent alert for Málaga province shortly after 10:00 PM local time on Tuesday, highlighting the extreme risk of rainfall linked to a weather phenomenon known as a “Dana.”
The coastal areas, popular tourist destinations such as Marbella, Vélez, and Estepona, are expected to experience the worst of these conditions.
Officials have noted that while entire towns have not been evacuated, specific areas near the Guadalhorce River were targeted for evacuation to ensure safety. The Regional Government of Andalusia communicated this decision to the national government for support from state security forces.
Approximately 3,000 individuals residing near the river have been ordered to leave their homes. In preparation for the severe weather, schools across Málaga province have closed, and many supermarkets have temporarily shuttered their doors.
In addition to Málaga, other regions like Catalonia are also on alert. The northeastern coastal area near Tarragona faces red alerts until Wednesday evening as authorities brace for torrential rain and low temperatures.
Spain’s meteorological agency, Aemet, has extended orange alerts across parts of Valencia and Andalusia and the Balearic Islands until Thursday. This warning reflects significant meteorological threats that may disrupt daily activities.
While this second Dana weather system is concerning, it is not anticipated to cause damage on the scale experienced during the catastrophic floods that occurred at the end of October, which resulted in over 220 fatalities and severe destruction.
As recovery efforts continue from those earlier events, rescue teams recently announced they found the bodies of two young brothers who were swept away by floodwaters in Valencia. Their tragic loss resonated deeply with the community as family members expressed gratitude for the support they received during this trying time.
As Spain contends with these ongoing weather challenges, experts emphasize the need for robust infrastructure improvements to mitigate future flooding risks. With approximately £991,000 allocated for flood reduction initiatives, hope remains that lessons learned from recent disasters will lead to safer communities in the future.
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