Education in fifteen Murcia municipalities will be halted until 3 p.m. tomorrow. Social and day centres for seniors and people with disabilities will also close. The decision follows an orange alert for heavy rainfall and aims to limit movement in affected areas.
Regional authorities in Murcia have ordered all schools and social day centres to close in fifteen municipalities after an orange-level weather alert for heavy rain. The shutdown, announced by the Consejería de Educación y Formación Profesional, will last until 3 p.m. tomorrow and affects thousands of students, teachers, and vulnerable residents. The decision came on September 17, after the Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) raised the alert from yellow to orange, warning of worsening conditions.
The closures apply to Águilas, Aledo, Alhama de Murcia, Cartagena, Fuente Álamo, La Unión, Lorca, Los Alcázares, Mazarrón, Puerto Lumbreras, San Javier, San Pedro del Pinatar, Torre Pacheco, Totana, and several Murcia districts, including Avileses, Corvera, Gea y Truyols, Lobosillo, Los Martínez del Puerto, Sucina, and Valladolises. These areas are expected to see a sharp increase in rainfall, and authorities acted to prevent problems before the worst of the weather arrives. According to AEMET, some zones could see up to 30 liters of rain per square meter in one hour, and the hardest-hit areas could reach 50 liters in an hour or 100 liters over twelve hours.
"The orange alert specifically targets regions such as Valle del Guadalentín, Lorca y Águilas, Campo de Cartagena y Mazarrón, as well as Altiplano, Noroeste, and Vega del Segura, where the heaviest rainfall is forecast."
— AEMET
The orange alert is in effect from 3:00 a.m. to 11:59 a.m. The aim is to reduce unnecessary travel and keep people safe from possible flooding or road closures. All non-university educational centres are affected, including vocational schools, music conservatories, official language schools, and adult education centres that operate in the morning. Both teaching and non-teaching staff are included in the closure. Officials say the goal is to limit movement and lower the risk of accidents linked to flooding or dangerous roads.
Social policy officials have also closed early care centres, day centres for seniors, social centres for older adults, and facilities for people with disabilities. The aim is to protect those most at risk from mobility problems or unsafe travel. This coordinated response, reported by regional authorities and national media, is meant to shield the most vulnerable during severe weather.
In towns where schools remain open, administrators have been told to prepare for possible staff shortages if teachers cannot reach work due to road closures. Teachers who can prove they are unable to travel because of blocked roads will have their absence justified, according to regional government instructions. This is part of a wider plan to handle disruptions and keep staff safe.
"In addition to school and social centre closures, some university structures in the region have shifted to remote or non-classroom modes as a precaution, anticipating possible transport and staffing issues due to the severe weather."
— Regional media reports
Residents are being told to check official channels, including the Region of Murcia government website, 112 emergency services, and Educarm, for updates as the situation develops. Authorities say further changes could be announced if the weather worsens or the alert is extended. AEMET notes that the orange alert follows a yellow warning for rain and storms the previous day, showing how quickly the situation has escalated.
Murcia has faced several episodes of severe rainfall in recent years, often leading to flash floods and major disruption. The current closures are a precaution, aimed at protecting the most at-risk groups and keeping essential services running. As extreme weather becomes more common, such measures are likely to become standard in regional crisis planning. The decision to suspend classes and close centres, while disruptive, is intended to keep people safe and ensure the region is ready to respond to environmental threats.
