Madrid Mayor Urges Residents to Stay at Home as Torrential Rain and Storms Hit the City
MADRID, Sept 3 (Reuters) – Madrid’s mayor, Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida, has advised all residents to stay at home as the capital braces itself for torrential rain and storms affecting parts of Spain. The National weather agency AEMET has issued a maximum red alert for Sunday in the Madrid region, Toledo province, and the city of Cadiz, indicating possible extreme danger.
According to AEMET, up to 120 litres per square meter of rain could fall over 12 hours in Madrid, leading to potential serious flooding and risks to public safety. In response to the severe weather forecast, Mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida took to social media platform X, formerly Twitter, to urge the people of Madrid to stay at home. He stated, “Due to the exceptional and abnormal situation, in which rainfall records will be broken, I ask the people of Madrid to stay at home today.”
Despite the red alert and the threat of heavy rain and storms, many people were still seen outside in Madrid. However, some residents expressed their support for the red alert and took precautions. Manuel Loro, a 42-year-old resident, stated, “I think (the red alert) is a good idea. The best thing to do is not to use your car today. It’s going to be strongest at six o’clock, so we’ll go home earlier.”
To ensure the safety of residents, Madrid’s emergency services sent texts to warn them of flood risks and advised them not to use vehicles. Additionally, LaLiga, the Spanish football league, suspended an evening match between Atletico Madrid and Sevilla at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid due to the red alert.
The impact of the extreme weather extends beyond Madrid. In Alcanar, Tarragona, on Spain’s east coast, emergency services have also confined residents to their homes due to flooding after 215 liters per square meter of rain fell in the past 24 hours.
The response to the severe weather in Madrid and other parts of Spain is crucial to prevent any potential damages and ensure the safety of residents. The situation will continue to be monitored closely as authorities work to manage the effects of the storms and minimize any potential risks to the public.
Reporting by Elena Rodriguez, Guillermo Martinez; Writing by Jessica Jones; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne