Alert in Catalunya for torrential rain and heavy seas during Navidad y Sant Esteve

Protección Civil warns of extreme rainfall and a maritime storm. Several comarcas on maximum alert. Snowfall is expected at low altitudes. Check the recommendations and avoid risks. Discover the most affected areas and the safety measures.

Catalunya is preparing for a spell of intense rainfall and a severe maritime storm during Christmas and Sant Esteve. The authorities have activated alerts in several comarcas, especially in the north-east, such as Alt Empordà and la Garrotxa, where the greatest rainfall accumulations and heavy waves are expected.

Protección Civil de la Generalitat has sent alerts to the mobile phones of residents in Empordà, warning of the risk posed by sea conditions. In addition, snow is already making travel difficult on around twenty mountain roads, including the C-28 at Bonaigua, the LV-5004 at Espot, the L-501 in Vall de Boí, the N-141 at Bossòst, the N-260 at Planoles and the L-511 at Coll de Nargó.

Access for heavy vehicles has been restricted on sections of the N-260 (Xerrallo-Pont de Suert and Ribera d’Urgellet-Soriguera) and the N-230 between Vilaller and Vielha e Mijaran. Plan Inuncat has been in the alert phase since Wednesday, owing to the forecast of accumulations exceeding 100 litres per square metre in half an hour and the possible increase in river flow.

The Govern recommends avoiding approaching or crossing rivers, streams and flood-prone areas. Snow has already begun to fall and snowfall at low altitudes is forecast from the early hours of tomorrow, affecting large areas of Lleida, the Pyrenees, the Pre-Pyrenees, the Altiplano Central and the Tortosa-Beseit passes.

The Servicio Meteorológico de Cataluña has issued several warnings, indicating that 100 litres per square metre in 24 hours could be exceeded in the north-west on Thursday and Friday. Protección Civil insists on the importance of caution, especially on days of high mobility, and recommends checking Meteocat forecasts and traffic conditions before making any journey.