Andalusia is facing a exceptional weather conditions which has forced the suspension of much of the in-person educational activity. The passage of a powerful storm associated with a very humid atmospheric river This has led authorities to activate red alerts for rain and launch an unprecedented emergency operation in the community.
Faced with the risk of torrential rains, floods and landslidesThe regional government has opted to suspend in-person classes in schools and institutes across almost all of Andalusia, leaving Almería for the time being outside this measure, although under continuous surveillance in case the forecasts change in the coming hours. The general recommendation is clear: limit travel as much as possible and prioritize safety.
Red alert in Grazalema and Ronda: historic rainfall and saturated ground
The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has activated a Red alert for very heavy rain in the areas of Grazalema (Cadiz) and the Serranía de Ronda (Malaga)In these sectors, the models suggest that the targets can be easily exceeded. 150 liters per square meter in 12 hours and 200 liters in 24 hours, a volume of water capable of causing flash floods, overflowing riverbeds and severe damage to infrastructure.
The problem, as both have pointed out AEMET As the Board itself states, these rains are falling on a floor completely soaked After weeks of very frequent and heavy rain, areas like Grazalema have already recorded extraordinary accumulated In recent days, there have been several episodes exceeding 100 liters per day and peaks that have broken recent records.
This combination of saturated terrain, complex orography and relentless heavy rains This multiplies the risk of runoff appearing where none existed before, landslides, rockfalls, and access problems on secondary roads badly damaged by lack of maintenance. Mayors in the area, such as the mayor of Grazalema, insist that the focus of concern is both in the urban centers and, above all, in the rural areas. entry and exit communication routes of the villages.
In addition to the rainfall, the storm will be reinforced by westerly winds Very intense winds and severe maritime storms are expected along the coast, especially in the Strait of Gibraltar and the Costa del Sol. Orange and red weather warnings have been issued in some areas of the region. hurricane-force wind gusts, capable of exceeding 100 km/h and even reaching around 130 km/h in very exposed areas.
Suspension of in-person classes: who is affected and how will teaching be organized
Given this scenario, the advisory committee of Emergency Plan of Andalusia has agreed to suspension of in-person teaching activities in schools and institutes of all Andalusian provinces except AlmeríaThe decision was made after analyzing the AEMET forecasts, the state of the reservoirs and riverbeds, as well as the capacity of the land to absorb more water.
The president of the regional government, Juanma Moreno, explained that the measure applies to all non-university levels and that has moved to the andalusian universities the recommendation to also suspend their in-person activities. Some academic institutions, such as the Cadiz UniversityThey have already announced the complete closure of their campuses, the rescheduling of exams, and the temporary transition to remote work for administrative and service staff.
The Board's intention is that, as far as possible, teaching will continue. via telematicsTaking advantage of the experience gained during the worst months of the pandemic. The president himself has pointed out that most schools have the resources and platforms to teach remotely, although the priority at this time is to protect the educational community from risks during travel and within the buildings themselves.
The only territorial exception, for the moment, is the Almería provincewhere heavy rainfall and winds of the magnitude predicted for the rest of the region are not currently expected. However, the regional government warns that Almería It will remain under constant evaluation. in case the weather models change and it becomes necessary to extend the suspension of classes there as well.
Alongside the educational centers, the following has been ordered: suspension of activity in active participation centers and day centers for elderly people or people with disabilities in the affected provinces. The recommendation to local councils is equally clear: Avoid any outdoor sports or recreational activities while the episode of extreme rain and wind lasts.
Emergency Plan at level 2 and pre-positioned UME: this is how the deployment will be
The magnitude of the incident has led the Andalusian Regional Government to raise the operational status of the Emergency Plan for Flood Risk to level 2This step allows for immediate incorporation extraordinary resources from other administrationswhether local, provincial or state, to strengthen the community's own system.
One of the main consequences of this level change is the pre-activation of the Military Emergency Unit (UME)Instead of waiting several hours for personnel to mobilize from their bases, units have been pre-positioned in the highest-risk areas with the aim of being ready to intervene almost immediately if incidents occur. floods, water rescues, or problems with mining rafts and slopes.
The UME will have among its priorities the containment of mining slurries that could overflow and release hazardous materials, especially in provinces like Huelva and some areas of Seville, as well as the reinforcement of unstable slopes and embankments that suffer landslides due to the combination of rain and wind. It will also collaborate with the Civil Guard (Guardia Civil) and other emergency services in rescue operations in isolated or flooded areas.
In parallel, the Regional Government has coordinated a broad operation with the river basin authorities to preventive release of water. At the moment, around 50 reservoirs in the community are releasing water to gain a safety margin in anticipation of the new inflows. In the Guadalete basin, for example, the Bornos, Los Hurones, Zahara, and Guadalcacín reservoirs have begun managing significant volumes, which is already noticeable in the river levels downstream.
The aim of these maneuvers is to prevent, as far as possible, the achievement of historic flood levels in rivers that run through populated areas, although authorities admit that, with the soils so saturated and the forecast of continued rain, the risk of flooding It cannot be ruled out at almost any point, given the precedents in recent decades..
An "atmospheric river" and a swarm of storms: what to expect from the storm
Meteorological services describe the current situation as the outbreak of a mass of very humid air of great length, extending from tropical zones to southwestern Europe. This is what is known as a "atmospheric river", a phenomenon more common in other parts of the planet but rare with this intensity on the peninsula.
This atmospheric river, linked to the storm designated as Leonardo already a real low-pressure swarm that will be crossing the area around the peninsula in the coming days, could leave in just 48 hours brings amounts of rain equivalent to a whole year's worth. in specific sectors of western Andalusia and mountain areas.
AEMET's forecasts detail that the episode will begin strongly in the westernmost part of the community, affecting first Huelva, Sierra de Grazalema, Serrania de Ronda and Campo de Gibraltar...to spread inland and eastward. It is expected that the Heavy rains are expected between Wednesday and Thursdaywith a brief improvement on Friday, before the possible arrival of new storms over the weekend.
In regions like Grazalema, figures are being discussed that range between 500 and 700 liters per square meter In just a couple of days, rainfall totals exceeded 400 liters across the region. Ronda, the Campo de Gibraltar, parts of the province of Jaén (the Los Puentes and Cazorla areas), and other areas of the province of Malaga And the Cadiz coastline is also among the areas marked by red and orange warnings.
Besides the rain, another critical factor will be the strong wind and rough seas. Very significant waves are expected in the Strait of Gibraltar and along the Andalusian Atlantic coast, with a risk of damage to seafront promenades and coastal areas, while the gusts of wind They can cause trees, facade elements and street furniture to fall, so it is recommended Exercise extreme caution on public roads.
Measures for the population: ES-Alert messages and basic recommendations
To strengthen communication with citizens, the Andalusian Regional Government will send ES-Alert messages from the 20: 00 hours to the mobile phones of people who are in the areas with red noticeEspecially in the north and south of Grazalema, Ronda, the Campo de Gibraltar, and the Los Puentes area in Jaén. These alerts may also reach phones located in bordering areas, as network coverage does not always exactly coincide with municipal boundaries.
The messages will include recommendations such as avoid unnecessary travelDo not cross flooded areas or waterways on foot or by vehicle, stay away from riverbanks and streams, and, if you live in areas with a history of recent flooding, go up to upper floors If water starts entering homes or garages, it is also advisable to remove objects from patios and rooftops that could be blown away by the wind or water.
The administration insists that these are not just "suggestions," but Security instructions Failure to comply can lead to personal risks and, in some cases, administrative penalties. Experience from previous incidents shows that a significant number of rescues occur when someone attempts to cross a swollen riverbed or enter an area already identified as flood-prone.
The public is also advised to obtain information only through official channels —websites of the regional government, 112 emergency services, AEMET (the Spanish State Meteorological Agency), and local councils— and verified media outlets, avoiding the spread of rumors, hoaxes, or alarmist content on social media. The local councils of the most vulnerable municipalities have also requested Stay calm, follow the instructions, and do not create unnecessary panic..
In the educational and labor fields, various unions and teaching organizations have demanded that the rules be rigorously applied. occupational risk prevention protocols And no worker should be forced to travel if their area is affected by the suspension of activity or by maximum-level alerts. Safety in classrooms, during commutes, and in schools must take precedence over any other consideration.
State of reservoirs, rivers and infrastructure: risk of flooding and outages
The hydrological situation in Andalusia adds an additional element of tension. After weeks of storms, the region is facing... Dozens of reservoirs at very high levels and a network of waterways that already carries large volumes of water. According to data submitted to the Emergency Committee, about 50 reservoirs are releasing water At this time, a large part of them are in the Guadalquivir basin and in systems such as the Guadalete-Barbate.
At province of Cádiz, For example, him Bornos reservoir It has released a significant amount of cubic hectometers in just a few days to make room for what may arrive, while other reservoirs like Zahara, Los Hurones, and Guadalcacín are also at very high fill levels. This translates into rivers with already high flow rates in places like Junta de los Ríos, La Barca de la Florida or the vicinity of Jerez, where some sections are at danger levels 2 and 3 out of 3.
In parallel, preventive measures such as the Temporary closure of the Guadiaro-Majaceite water transfercoordinated with infrastructure managers to minimize risks in case of extreme rainfall. Municipalities like Ubrique have issued warnings asking the population to Stay at home as much as possibleAvoid nighttime travel and pay attention to official instructions.
Mountain roads and secondary roads are considered one of the most vulnerable areas. Recent incidents have already been recorded. landslides, rockfalls and fallen treesAnd it is possible that this situation will repeat itself or even worsen if the predicted volume of rain and wind is confirmed. Authorities are urging extreme caution when traveling through the area. regional road network and access to small rural villages.
All this context largely explains the decision to Suspend in-person classes in Andalusia due to red alertIt's not just that students and teaching staff may have difficulty getting to the schools, but also that, in the event of a major incident, Managing an evacuation or rescue would be much more complex If classrooms were full and roads were gridlocked.
With an atmospheric river pouring down on its territory, reservoirs near capacity, saturated soils, and entire regions under red and orange alerts, Andalusia faces days in which the prudence, anticipation, and institutional coordination These measures will be crucial. The suspension of classes and other in-person activities is intended precisely to reduce exposure to risk while the storm reaches its peak and to give emergency services time to focus on truly unavoidable incidents.
