Severe storms cause chaos in Catalonia and affect public transport

The intense storms battering Catalonia have caused widespread disruptions in the Rodalies service and significant damage to agriculture. The Generalitat has activated alerts to ensure the safety of citizens.

The storms that have hit Catalonia since this morning are wreaking havoc on mobility and agriculture, with multiple road and railway line closures. According to reports from Renfe, several sections of the Rodalies service have been interrupted, including lines R11, R3, and RL4, due to adverse weather conditions.

“The situation is critical; we have received over 399 calls to 112 related to incidents caused by the rain,”

said a spokesperson for the Servei Català de Trànsit (SCT). The rainfall has been particularly intense in areas like Isòvol, where up to 71 litres per square metre were recorded. The Generalitat has put the Ferrocat plan on pre-alert to manage the crisis. The R11 line is closed between Maçanet and Girona, while affected passengers are being transferred by alternative buses to Figueres. Additionally, Renfe has expanded its Avant service to facilitate travel between Girona and Barcelona. On the other hand, the R3 line is also facing interruptions due to fallen trees on the tracks. In this context, the president of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, urged citizens to maintain extreme precautions during this weather episode:

“It is essential to follow emergency instructions and avoid approaching rivers or flood-prone areas.”

The storms have not only affected transport; significant damage to agricultural crops has also been reported due to hail falling in various areas. Rosario García, a farmer from Sant Joan Les Fonts, expressed her concern:

“The hailstorm has left our streets covered with balls larger than 4 cm; this could have a devastating impact on our production.”

As the day progresses, the storms are expected to move south across the Catalan territory, affecting regions such as Alt Camp and Segrià. The Catalan Meteorological Service (SMC) maintains a high danger level due to possible accumulations exceeding 90 litres per square metre in short periods. With a flood alert (Inuncat) active, Civil Protection is monitoring the situation to ensure public safety as citizens face a complicated landscape in both their commutes and daily activities.