A Chaotic Day in Catalonia
On Thursday, June 4, 2026, Catalonia was plunged into chaos due to a heavy rainstorm that caused multiple incidents in the region. The R3 line of Rodalies experienced a significant disruption when a train collided with a fallen tree on the tracks, a direct result of the heavy rainfall that battered the area.
At 20:07, the Bombers de la Generalitat received notification of the accident and quickly mobilised six units to address the situation. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the six passengers travelling on the train. Emergency services evacuated the travellers and escorted them to the nearest station.
Protecció Civil activated the pre-alert of the Ferrocat plan, while Renfe implemented an alternative bus service to ensure transport in the affected section. This incident is just one of many that occurred during a day marked by extreme weather conditions.
The impact of the storm also forced the temporary closure of the C-17 road in Ripoll, affecting traffic in both directions. Between 17:00 and 23:00, the Bombers attended a total of 89 alerts, highlighting situations such as a car trapped in water and the partial collapse of a house in Oristà. Additionally, landslides were reported on other major roads such as the C-26 in Borredà.
The Catalan Water Agency (ACA) issued alerts for hydrological risk after observing dangerous levels in several river basins. In particular, the critical threshold was exceeded in the Vilada stream, and the alert threshold was activated in Sant Joan de les Abadesses. The intense rainfall has tested the region's water infrastructure.
Meteocat, the Catalan meteorological service, reported significant accumulations during this extreme weather episode: up to 41.6 litres per square metre were recorded in just half an hour near the Santuari de Queralt. This situation led the agency to activate high danger alerts for 17 counties and moderate danger for more than fifteen additional ones.
As night progressed, forecasts indicated that an additional 60 litres per square metre could fall in regions such as Ripollès and Garrotxa. In light of this imminent threat, the Generalitat used its new specific system to issue timely warnings in advance.
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