Authorities in northeastern Spain placed a large part of Catalonia under a red alert on Saturday due to the threat of intense rainfall and potential flooding.
According to Spain’s national meteorological agency, Aemet, up to 90 millimetres of rain per hour could fall in areas around Barcelona and the province of Tarragona late in the day. The heavy downpour is expected to continue through the afternoon, posing a significant flood risk.
The region of Tarragona had already faced severe challenges earlier in the week due to a major wildfire.
In a post on social media platform X, Aemet urged residents to strictly follow emergency protection guidance, warning that the extreme weather could lead to dangerous flooding. The agency emphasized the seriousness of the situation, calling on people in the affected areas to remain alert and prioritize safety.
In response to the weather emergency, Spain’s national railway company, Renfe, suspended all train services across the Catalonia region, including high-speed, regional, and commuter lines. Renfe stated that the suspension aims to “guarantee the safety of all travelers” and added that services will resume once weather conditions improve.
Beyond Catalonia, several other regions in northern and eastern Spain, including Aragon and parts of the Valencian Community, were placed on orange alert due to similar weather threats.
The current alert comes months after devastating storms struck the same eastern coastal regions last October, resulting in 227 fatalities. At that time, regional authorities faced widespread criticism for inadequate preparedness and delayed emergency response.
