The northern and central parts of the Iberian Peninsula are dealing with the effects of sudden river surges caused by a series of low-pressure systems. A critical situation prevails in the Duero and Ebro river basins, where the highest alarm levels have been declared. Many towns in the Castile and León and Aragon regions are struggling with flooding, and rescue services are conducting preventive evacuations of residents from the most threatened areas.

Alarms on the Ebro and Duero

Water levels in two of the largest rivers in northern Spain exceeded warning levels, causing numerous evacuations in Zaragoza and Valladolid.

Disappearance in Zaragoza

National Police and rescue services are searching for 20-year-old Pablo Cebolla, who disappeared near the swollen riverbed of the Ebro.

New Borrasca Pedro

Atmospheric front Pedro brought red alerts for Galicia, resulting in maritime transport paralysis and closure of public spaces.

Damage to Education

In the Castilla-La Mancha region, downpours damaged 30 schools, and hundreds of interventions concerned flooded roads and buildings in Toledo.

The hydrological situation in Spain remains tense after a wave of borrascas brought extreme rainfall totals. The most difficult conditions are in the Duero basin, where water levels near Zamora and Valladolid reached critical values. Although on some river sections, like in Zamora itself, a flow decrease of nearly 20% was recorded compared to Tuesday's peak of 1400 m³/s, in the lower course the river still threatens infrastructure. In Valladolid, swollen waters destroyed property walls and forced residents of Puente Duero to leave their homes. Local authorities criticize the Duero Hydrographic Confederation (CHD) for passivity in maintaining riverbeds and lack of appropriate preventive actions. The system of hydrographic confederations in Spain dates back to the early 20th century and is based on managing basins independently of regional administrative borders. This approach, unique on a European scale, aims to optimize water resources in a country regularly affected by both droughts and flash floods. The Ebro River in Zaragoza also reached a peak flow of 1508 m³/s. The Civil Guard preventively evacuated residents of the Los Huertos de Alfajarín neighborhood due to weakened flood defenses. In the capital of Aragon itself, a search is ongoing for 20-year-old Pablo Cebolla, whose disappearance has been linked to the dangerously high water levels. „The operational phases of the flood threat state have concluded, allowing us a gradual return to normality.” — José Julián Gregorio Counterbalancing the difficult situation in the north is an improvement in conditions in Castilla-La Mancha, where after 13 days the PRICAM plan was canceled after recording over 400 incidents and damage to 30 educational facilities. River flow at the peak of the wave: Ebro (Zaragoza): 1508, Duero (Zamora): 1400, Duero (2013 - record): 1568The unstable weather is further complicated by borrasca Pedro, which hit Galicia, introducing the highest alarm level for the Miño River in A Peroxa. Strong winds and rains forced the closure of parks in Lugo and suspension of navigation in the bays. Hydrological experts are also closely monitoring snowmelt processes in the mountains, which could lead to secondary surges in the basins of the Tagus and Jarama rivers. 11 — river sections in the Castile and León region still maintain a red alarm level Liberal media focus on climate change and the need for modernization of flood defense infrastructure by state agencies. | Conservative outlets emphasize government neglect in cleaning riverbeds and lack of aid for farmers in affected regions.

Mentioned People

  • Pablo Cebolla — 20-year-old man being sought by police after disappearing in Zaragoza on the bank of the swollen Ebro.
  • José Ignacio López — Resident of Puente Duero, whose property was destroyed by the river.
  • José Julián Gregorio — Mayor of Talavera de la Reina, informing about the end of the flood crisis phase.