Climate disaster in Andalusia: Malaga paralyzed by historic floods

Torrential rains have caused major flooding in the city of Malaga, reminiscent of the most violent episodes of recent decades. Residents and authorities alike are on the alert, as the damage continues to mount.

In the space of a few hours, torrents of muddy water invaded the streets of Malaga, submerging this Andalusian city. Under torrential rains, several tens of centimetres of water covered the roads, sweeping away cars and tree trunks and transforming the urban landscape into a veritable torrent.

According to the Spanish Meteorological Institute (Aemet), Malaga and Valencia, which were under high alert the previous day, were placed on orange alert on Thursday November 14. However, the damage was considerable, particularly in the center of Malaga, where entire streets were flooded. Transport networks were not spared: the metro had to be closed, the train line to Madrid suspended, and several flights were cancelled or diverted. Over 4,200 residents were evacuated as a precaution, facing the worst flooding in the region for 37 years.

“Exemplary vigilance to avoid tragedy

The bad weather was caused by a new “cold drop”, an isolated high-altitude low-pressure system, common in autumn on Spain’s Mediterranean coast and conducive to torrential rain. This early warning contrasts with the recent crisis in Valencia, where local authorities were surprised by sudden rains. This time, an early warning allowed residents to prepare, limiting human damage. “Malaga is paralyzed today”, commented the President of Andalusia, Juan Manuel Moreno, from Seville. He stressed the importance of preventive measures, recalling Valencia’s recent experience.

Images broadcast by the media show impressive scenes: streets transformed into torrents, a flooded metro, and residents mobilized to protect themselves. Ida Maria Ledesma Martin, a resident of Campanillas, told AFP: “Everything is under control, the police warned us in good time, the system is well managed.”

In Malaga, where the rain has turned everything upside down, even sporting events have not escaped the fallout of the bad weather: the Billie Jean King Cup women’s tennis match, scheduled for Wednesday between Spain and Poland, has been postponed until Friday.