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Date Published: 30/10/2024

DANA in Murcia: Region escapes worst of the storm but rainwater runoff a massive problem

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There was intense rain and road closures for flooding in Murcia, but was nowhere near as badly hit as neighbouring Valencia

DANA in Murcia: Region escapes worst of the storm but rainwater runoff a massive problem

This week’s DANA weather front brought violent storms and flooding to parts of southeastern Spain, including the Region of Murcia, but thankfully it wasn’t as strong as in other places.

Although it did rain extensively, the worst effects – like those seen in Almería, Valencia, and Albacete – did not materialise.

However, Murcia still had to contend with heavy rainfall, particularly in Moratalla and Caravaca de la Cruz, where almost 250 litres per square metre accumulated within 24 hours.

Rising rivers in the north

The most pressing local issue was the rising water levels in reservoirs and rivers. Late on Tuesday evening, October 29, the Civil Protection agency activated its emergency flood plan for the Region of Murcia, warning of a possible overflow at the La Risca reservoir near Moratalla.

The nearby Río Alhárabe river had risen dangerously, leading to the evacuation of the La Puerta campsite as a precaution. However, the feared overflow did not materialise, and by Wednesday morning, October 30, the reservoir level had dropped significantly.

The Mayor of Moratalla, Juan Soria, praised the swift, community-driven evacuation, which involved local residents using their own vehicles to assist guests in moving to a safer location.

Meanwhile, the rain caused several rivers in other parts of Murcia’s northwest to swell beyond their banks, with some road closures in Caravaca and Bullas. In some areas, fallen trees and flash flooding on smaller roads added to the day’s obstacles, though the general damage was minimal.

The flooding led to the precautionary closure of schools in 11 municipalities across the Region. Several roads experienced temporary closures due to rockfalls, landslides, and overflowing watercourses, with fallen trees and debris causing further issues on public roads.

In Lorca, strong winds brought down lamp posts, traffic lights and signage, while in La Manga del Mar Menor, wind speeds of up to 100kmh moved containers, felled palm trees and caused damage along the coast.

The Region of Murcia International Airport in Corvera briefly lost power due to a generator malfunction, but the problem was quickly resolved. Nevertheless, the impact of the DANA was felt across the entire region, with more than 120 emergency calls made about blocked roads, damaged infrastructure and weather-related accidents.

Murcia sends rescue helicopters to Valencia

As Valencia grapples with severe flooding that has left at least 50 people dead and many areas cut off, Murcia responded by dispatching two helicopters on Wednesday morning to assist with rescue efforts – a BELL-412 rescue helicopter, carrying firefighters from the Air Rescue Group, and a BELL-206 observation helicopter were deployed to help with emergency operations in Alcira, Valencia.

Difficulties in accessing affected areas was worsened by downed power lines and limited communications and complicated the already urgent rescue missions. The head of the Valencia Provincial Fire Brigade, José Miguel Basset, reported that extensive road and communications breakdowns had hindered rescue work, with some points entirely inaccessible.

Several charitable associations who are providing disaster relief to the affected areas have set up funds. If you wish to make a donation, you can do so on the websites of the Cruz Roja or Cáritas Valencia

Rainfall runoff into the Mar Menor

Despite escaping the worst of the DANA’s destruction, Murcia’s coastal area faced another familiar problem: large amounts of rainwater runoff contaminating the Mar Menor, a coastal lagoon already grappling with environmental strain.

Rainwater from surrounding agricultural lands funnelled sediment and pollutants into the Mar Menor, further exacerbating the ecological situation. The Campo de Cartagena, a largely agricultural area, is a consistent source of runoff during heavy rains, with pollutants washing into nearby water channels and eventually emptying into the lagoon.

The mayor of Los Alcázares, Mario Pérez Cervera, reiterated his call for accelerated flood prevention efforts in the Mar Menor basin. According to Pérez, preventive measures upstream could significantly reduce water and sediment flow to the lagoon.

“Runoff water like this could be put to use by farmers instead of ending up in the Mar Menor,” he suggested, emphasising that the persistent flooding issue needs urgent attention to avoid irreparable harm to the lagoon’s ecosystem.

In Los Nietos, accumulated mud and runoff water once again isolated some communities, with roads around the Arenal area inundated. Nani Vergara, president of the Los Nietos Neighbourhood Association, voiced frustrations shared by many locals, pointing to the poor condition of infrastructure that repeatedly fails to withstand heavy rain. The area also experienced a brief blackout as power was affected by the storm.

The association has called for government action to improve road access and drainage in the area, which remains particularly exposed to weather damage. “Every time it rains, we’re cut off,” said Vergara, describing how the runoff mud prevents residents from leaving their homes until the soil dries.

Concerns also surround the condition of archaeological sites and promenades in these coastal towns, with locals emphasising the need for investment to protect and maintain infrastructure that regularly bears the brunt of rain-induced damage.

The community has urged the Ministry of Ecological Transition to prioritise these issues, underscoring that support from local, regional and national governments is essential to protect the Mar Menor and its surrounding areas from further degradation.

For a region plagued by both periodic flooding and chronic drought, the recent rainfall is a double-edged sword. On one hand, the rain offers some relief to the Segura River Basin’s critically low water levels, benefitting agricultural areas desperate for water.

On the other hand, officials caution that the rains are insufficient to resolve the deep-rooted water shortage afflicting parts of the basin. Reservoirs like Cenajo and Fuensanta have seen a small boost in reserves, but the Confederación Hidrográfica del Segura (CHS) notes that sustained rainfall is necessary to make a lasting impact on water supplies.

Weather forecast for the coming days

This Wednesday, the storm has passed in Murcia and meteorologists forecast a return to sunshiny conditions, at least for Wednesday and Thursday, though some weaker rains may return in time for the weekend.

Nonetheless, experts from the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) advise caution as the unsettled conditions may bring isolated showers throughout the week. Emergency teams continue monitoring infrastructure, rivers and roads, ready to respond should any further complications arise.

>>> Follow our Murcia Weather Watch Facebook group for more weather updates or see our Weather & Climate page <<<

Image 1: Ayuntamiento de Lorca

Image 2: Ayuntamiento de San Javier

Image 3: Ayuntamiento de Los Alcázares

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