On Saturday, heavy rains swept across Catalonia, turning calm rivers and streams into raging torrents within hours. The situation was particularly severe in the Barcelona area, where water levels in some reservoirs rose dramatically. In the El Papiol area, the flow of water in the Riera de Rubí stream reached critical levels, prompting local authorities to declare an alert.
In other districts such as Vallès and Maresme, the situation also remained tense. Due to the sudden rise in rivers and ravines, residents were forced to avoid their usual routes. In Montcada i Reixac, by evening, the Ripoll River was carrying over forty cubic meters of water per second, posing a threat to nearby areas.
Due to the bad weather, train service on the R5 line was temporarily suspended between Martorell and Abrera stations. Landslides occurred along this section of railway, and trains were halted in both directions. Authorities activated a special emergency response plan for transport to minimize the impact on passengers.
Roads were also hit hard by the storm. Sections of the B-112, BP-1103, BP-1121, and GI-552 highways were closed due to landslides or flooding that completely submerged the roadway. The situation was especially difficult at the A-2 and AP-7 interchange, where traffic had to be halted for safety reasons.
Since Thursday, Catalonia’s Civil Protection has maintained a high alert due to the risk of further heavy rains. Residents are strongly advised to avoid low-lying areas and stay away from bodies of water, even if the rain briefly stops. Authorities emphasize that water levels can rise sharply at any moment and urge everyone to exercise caution and follow official updates.
