Code red again in Spain, this time in the Barcelona region: streets are flooded, dozens of flights have been cancelled

According to the Spanish weather service Aemet there is “extreme danger” in and around Barcelona due to heavy rainfall. Code red applies in the region. In addition to a lot of rain, hail balls with a diameter of more than two centimeters are expected, as well as wind gusts of more than 90 kilometers per hour and even tornadoes.

Warning

People in the affected area received a warning message via their smartphone. “Take extreme precautions, avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from streams and ravines,” it said. Civil Protection advises residents not to pick up their children from school because they are “in a safe place”. (Read more below the post)

Several local hospitals have suspended non-urgent appointments due to the severe weather, the Spanish news site reports 20 Minutes. Classes and sports activities were suspended in large parts of Catalonia. At least three universities in Barcelona decided to keep their doors closed on Monday.

Trains, trams, flights and delivery services suspended

“Be very careful. Do not travel unless absolutely necessary,” warns Aemet. Anyone in the region should therefore stay at home. Getting around is strongly discouraged, and traveling by train, tram, car or even plane is currently virtually impossible in the region around Barcelona. According to Catalan traffic services, several motorways in Tarragona, Ebre and Baix Llobregat are closed due to landslides and flooding.

Barcelona’s suburban train service Rodalies has suspended all its journeys and the high-speed trains are not running because “the water is covering the rails”. The tram in Barcelona has also been affected. Several lines have been disrupted “due to unfavorable weather conditions,” X reported.

Barcelona International Airport – Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat – is also experiencing disruption. Images on social media show the airport corridors being flooded. Water has entered both the terminals and the parking garage. (Read more below the post)

At 12.20 pm, airport operator Aena reported on social networking site X that airlines had already canceled around fifty departing flights. Seventeen flights were also diverted to other airports. Other flights depart with delays. “The airport has set up a crisis committee to continuously monitor the impact of heavy storms,” the airport said.

Strikingly, several users on social media reported that airport staff still had to go to work despite the extreme weather conditions. (Read more below the post)

Furthermore, local delivery application Glovo has temporarily suspended its services in Barcelona “due to bad weather and to ensure the safety of all people using the application”. Users cannot place any orders.

Weather phenomenon DANA – or Isolated Depression at High Levels – has been causing severe flooding in eastern Spain since last week. Valencia and the surrounding area are the hardest hit. The death toll has exceeded 200 and could rise further.