The events in Grazalema have become one of the most talked-about crises in Andalusia in recent years. The forced evacuation of almost the entire population due to the sudden rise of underground water has shown how vulnerable even the most picturesque and tourist-favored corners of Spain are to the forces of nature. For many residents, returning home was long-awaited yet filled with anxiety: the aftermath of the incident will serve as a reminder for a long time.
Authorities decided to allow 1,600 residents to return after a scientific commission confirmed the area’s safety. However, 259 homes remain uninhabitable. Local officials and emergency services have arranged transportation for those unable to return on their own, and additional support is provided for vulnerable groups. The area most affected by the water surge lies along Piedras Street, where underground streams caused the greatest damage.
Impact on residents
Homeowners whose properties are still in the risk zone may return to Grazalema only if they have alternative housing. Travel agencies and owners of rental properties are actively assisting those affected with accommodation. Grazalema has long been known for its vibrant tourism sector, which has now benefited the local community: many found temporary shelter in hotels and apartments provided free of charge.
The evacuation proceeded rapidly: in less than three hours, residents left their homes and were relocated to nearby towns, including Ronda and Zahara de la Sierra. In these towns, public spaces were opened for the evacuees, where they could receive meals, manage personal matters, and keep in touch with their neighbors. Reflecting on recent events, it’s worth noting that similar disasters have previously had major consequences for the region—such as the devastating storm that recently upended the lives of Andalusian farmers and the tourism industry.
Causes and scale
The evacuation was triggered by a sudden rise in the water level of the karst aquifer beneath Grazalema. Water began seeping into homes through the floors, electrical outlets, and plumbing—an alarming sign for specialists. The municipal building was among the first affected, and soon similar problems arose elsewhere in the town. Hydrogeologists recommended immediate evacuation due to threats to residents’ safety and possible power outages.
In some homes, water flow reached 100 liters per second. By the day after the evacuation, the water level began to decrease, as experts had predicted: karst aquifers can discharge excess water quickly. However, more than 40 scientists continued to monitor the situation, studying not only Grazalema but also neighboring municipalities affected by a series of heavy rains and landslides.
Coordinating the return
On Sunday evening, authorities announced the phased return of residents. The president of the autonomous community and the mayor of the city personally informed those gathered in Ronda. For those whose homes are still unfit for living, accommodation has been arranged in rural houses and secondary residences that were not affected by the flooding. Meanwhile, in other areas of the province of Cádiz, hundreds of people still cannot return home due to the aftermath of the severe weather.
The total damage from a series of storms that hit the province in January and February is estimated at 1.2 billion euros. Dozens of roads have been damaged, and restoring infrastructure will take at least two years. Grazalema, which received nearly 4,500 liters of rainfall per square meter in a year, is once again in the spotlight as the rainiest town in Spain.
Current situation and outlook
On the day of return, residents who had temporarily stayed in Zahara and Ronda resumed school and daily life. However, some towns still face water supply issues: in Zahara, for example, classes for children had to be postponed due to pipeline damage. Grazalema’s administration operated temporarily from Ronda, coordinating efforts using provided equipment and secure servers.
Although the return went off without incident, scientists continue to analyze the collected data. New recommendations to prevent similar situations in the future are expected in the coming months. The unusual nature of the incident has already attracted the attention of researchers, who plan to dedicate separate scientific studies and dissertations to it.
In recent years, Spain has been facing a growing number of natural disasters linked to climate change and extreme weather events. Surges of heavy rains, landslides, and floods have affected not only Andalusia but other regions of the country as well. In 2025, similar evacuations took place in Murcia and Galicia, where heavy downpours destroyed roads and damaged residential buildings. Experts note that such events are becoming increasingly frequent, and their consequences more severe than before.
