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Flooding, collapsed roads and more: Severe weather intensifies calls for Murcia flood prevention infrastructure
The heavy rainfall that has struck many municipalities and even led to loss of life has reignited the conversation about renewing the Region’s flood defences
In this wet start to March, the Region of Murcia has experienced significant flooding and widespread damage across various municipalities. Particularly affected were the districts of Ramonete, Garrobillo and Almendricos in Lorca, where the estimated damages exceeded €500,000.There is no doubt that rain is good for this drought-prone corner of Spain, especially for watering its crops and to fill up its acuifers ahead of the dry summer season, but the persistent rainfall severely compromised the extensive network of roads and highways connecting several districts. In Ramonete, for instance, flooding near the riverbeds damaged numerous roads, resulting in broken asphalt, the emergence of potholes and the destruction of road crossings.
Coastal areas suffered as well, with several beaches losing sand and accumulating debris, including scrubland, tree trunks and plastic waste, primarily due to the sudden flooding of the rambla del Ramonete. In several parts of the municipality of Mazarrón, too, the heavy rains have led to structural problems relating to road surfaces and pedestrian paths.
The water supply network also faced significant challenges. A team from Aguas de Lorca has been working diligently to restore drinking water to affected residents. The situation was more severe than initially anticipated, with multiple breaks in the main network pipes from the water tank to Ramonete and Puntas de Calnegre. An alternative supply service using tanker trucks was established to provide water until the regular supply is fully restored.
In Garrobillo, municipal teams deployed machinery, including shovels, lorries and tractors, to remove debris that had cut off roads and isolated families. Similarly, Almendricos experienced a heavy downpour, necessitating intervention to restore road safety on the network of paths and roads. The municipal emergency teams have been working continuously since the onset of the rains, addressing incidents in the electricity network and ensuring residents can access their homes.
In Lorca city itself, continuous water leaks affecting one of the retaining walls located next to the Porch of San Antonio caused the collapse of a fragment of the wall. Thankfully, this part of the wall was built recently, back in 2013, and does not form part of the original mediaeval wall.Although there have been no personal injuries, a house located in the upper part of the affected area has been evacuated as a precautionary measure. The area has also been closed off, as the fallen wall also served as a retaining element of the ‘camino de los pozos’, a continuation of the city’s Calle Zapatería.
The severe weather conditions led to the tragic death of a 50-year-old farmer in the Ermita de Ramonete area. He was swept away by strong currents while attempting to cross the Ramonete ravine in his van. His body was later found along the coastline near the mouth of the ravine.
A section of the RME-22 road between Cartagena and Mazarrón has collapsed, despite recent improvement works costing €474,000. Many residents use this road daily, especially in summer for access to Isla Plana and La Azohía. Due to its winding nature and steep gradients, Cartagena City Council carried out safety improvements, completing them just a few months ago. However, heavy rains have now caused the pavement to subside, raising concerns about the durability of the works.
In the north of Murcia, the Río Mula near Bullas burst its banks and other rivers are in danger of doing the same, prompting authorities to activate their ‘anti-flooding plan’ and warning of the dangers of moving around in the area by road.
In response to the yellow alerts for rainfall issued by the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) for this Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, the regional Emergency Coordination Centre 1-1-2 has been on standby to respond to emergency situations.
Flood control projects in the Segura basin, the water area which most closely maps to the Region of Murcia, have been stalled for over 20 years due to environmental concerns, funding issues, bureaucracy and political inaction, despite the increasing frequency of episodes of torrential rains such as this one.
The Confederación Hidrográfica del Segura (CHS), the water authority that oversees this area, has long prepared plans, such the Nogalte and Torrecilla dams, but struggles to implement them. Recently, it announced €130 million in flood prevention works using EU Next Generation funds, focusing on vulnerable areas like Lorca and the Mar Menor.
However, key projects remain blocked by environmental restrictions and lack of consensus. Experts proposed 22 urgent measures back in 2020, yet little progress has been made, leaving Murcia still exposed to severe flood risks.
The adverse weather conditions this week extend beyond Murcia, affecting other parts of Spain, including Andalucía, the Valencian Community, Catalonia and the Canary Islands, where Gran Canaria airport had to be temporarily closed due to flooding. These regions experienced heavy rainfall, flooding and strong winds, leading to significant disruptions and damage.
The Region of Murcia, already vulnerable to such climatic events, has been grappling with the consequences of these floods. The recent events have highlighted the urgent need for infrastructure improvements and effective flood prevention measures to mitigate the impact of future weather-related disasters.
You may also like to read: These are the areas of Spain that will be uninhabitable by 2050 thanks to climate crisis
Images 1 & 2: Ayuntamiento de Cartagena
Image 3: Policía Local de Murcia
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