The nightmare is not yet definitively over in Spain, since new stormy showers affect the east coast and certain regions already affected last week by DANA (cold drop in Spanish). On the other side of the Iberian Peninsula, an old tropical storm named “Patty” is moving back onto the Portuguese coast with strong thunderstorms expected this Tuesday.
Spain in mourning, with more storms until Tuesday
After the passage of DANA last week, which brought a year's worth of rain in just 48 hours to the Valencia region, causing massive flooding and the death of more than 200 people, the situation remains very unstable . Storms continue to come up from the Mediterranean, even if the cold drop has gradually weakened. Vigilance remains essential in several regions already heavily affected.
It is particularly in the regions of Murcia, Valencia and Barcelona that storms persist, with still high risks of flooding due to soils completely saturated with water. The rivers have burst their banks, and rescue teams continue to be mobilized. More than 200 mm fell overnight from Sunday to Monday in the Tarragona sector, causing significant material damage, with many homes and roads flooded.
In Barcelona, the situation remains worrying, because the new showers add to an already dramatic toll. Preventive evacuations have been put in place in several sensitive neighborhoods, particularly due to landslides. However, a slight improvement is observed elsewhere in the region, with a gradual decrease in precipitation intensity. The rains are expected to become increasingly light in most of the affected areas by Tuesday evening, giving hope for a slow but expected return to normal.
Portugal hit by tropical depression Patty this Tuesday
It is now towards Portugal that attention is focused at the start of the week. Indeed, tropical storm Patty, born west of the Azores last Friday, swept across the archipelago this Sunday, bringing heavy rains and violent winds. In the municipality of Horta, up to 100 mm of water fell, causing temporary power outages and some damage to local infrastructure.
This storm is now heading due east towards the Iberian Peninsula. Upon arriving in Portugal during the night from Monday to Tuesday, Patty will have lost its tropical characteristics to become a simple depression. However, the expected effects are far from negligible: intense rains are expected in the north of Portugal, particularly in the regions of Porto and Braga. The authorities have already warned the population of the risk of flooding and mudslides. Schools will remain closed in some areas, and residents are urged to limit non-essential travel.
Galicia, in the northwest of Spain, should also be affected, particularly between Vigo and La Coruña, with accumulations that could locally reach 80 mm in a few hours. Spanish authorities have activated emergency plans to prevent rivers from overflowing, while rescue teams are preparing to intervene if necessary.
With the gradual filling of the depression in the land, calm should return to Portugal on Wednesday, allowing residents to begin cleaning and restoration operations. For Spain, the improvement will be slower, but the instability should definitively end on Thursday, finally offering respite to the populations affected by these extreme weather episodes.
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