An intense downpour, with large-calibre hail, has caused this Saturday afternoon small floods, landslides and falling branches, in various areas of central and southern Catalonia, with greater effects in Terres de l’Ebre, which has forced the Generalitat Fire Brigade to carry out around twenty interventions.
The Generalitat had activated the alert of the flood plan (Inuncat) at noon due to the forecast of widespread intense rainfall throughout Catalonia, which will last until Sunday afternoon.
The Meteorological Service foresees that in some points more than 20 liters per square meter may fall in 30 minutes and that there may even be a storm or some violent weather phenomenon, as reported by Civil Protection. In addition, more than 100 liters per square meter could accumulate in 24 hours at different points, especially in the northeast and northwest third.
Faced with this situation, the authorities have asked the population to take extreme precautions when moving around the territory and when carrying out activities abroad. Among the recommendations are to avoid parking on the streams or in underground floodable spots and never cross rivers or streams if they come down with water, especially in areas where it is expected to rain more intensely.
This episode of rain comes after the Generalitat has restricted activities in the natural environment, such as camping and sports activities, as well as other recreational activities in some 500 Catalan municipalities since last Tuesday due to the extreme risk of fire.