Storms in Catalonia: The consequences of heavy rainfall
Following the devastating storms that hit the Valencia region in eastern Spain a few days ago, the neighboring region of Catalonia is now also affected by heavy rainfall. The effects are already clearly felt: airports have to divert flights, rail services have been suspended and numerous educational institutions have cancelled classes. These developments highlight the ongoing challenges that extreme weather conditions pose to infrastructure and daily life in the region. On the morning of November 3, 2024, Spanish Transport Minister Óscar Puente reported via Platform X that Barcelona-El Prat Airport had already diverted 15 flights due to the severe weather. The heavy rainfall also caused leaks in various areas of the terminals and parking lots. The dangerous situation forced the authorities to temporarily suspend regional rail services to ensure the safety of passengers. In addition to the disruptions at the airport, Puente reported a landslide on Highway 27, which is significantly affecting traffic. According to initial estimates, one lane will soon be opened to traffic to reduce congestion. According to Spanish media reports, several streets in the province of Barcelona were also flooded. The images of the flooded streets and damaged infrastructure illustrate the urgency of the situation and the need for rapid action by the authorities. Educational institutions in the region have also been severely affected: around 150 schools and universities have cancelled classes to ensure the safety of students. School principals have been asked to find flexible solutions to keep class cancellations to a minimum. Warnings and prevention measures Particularly critical is
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