Toledo, Mar 22 (EFE).-Authorities on Saturday issued an emergency alert in six municipalities in central Spain due to rising water levels that have heightened the risk of flooding.
Heavy rainfall has inundated large parts of Toledo, about 70 km (43 miles) south of Madrid, leading to a surge in the Alberche River’s water levels and prompting evacuations in several areas.
Officials have warned of further increases, particularly affecting the Tagus and Alberche rivers.
The Special Civil Protection authorities sent the alert at 9:06 AM to residents in Santa Cruz de Retamar, Escalona, El Casar de Escalona, Hormigos, Cazalegas, and Cardiel de los Montes, according to the 112 emergency service.
Many evacuees are staying with relatives, while precautionary evacuations have been carried out in neighborhoods of Escalona, Santa Cruz de Retamar, and Hormigos.
Authorities have also sent alerts through the Es-Alert system for flood-prone areas along the Tagus and Alberche rivers in Talavera de la Reina.
The alert advised residents to avoid flooded areas, respect road closures, and refrain from activities near riverbeds.
Those in flood-risk zones were urged to move to higher ground or upper floors and to follow official instructions while avoiding unnecessary calls to emergency services.
Rising River Levels During a meeting of the Operational Coordination Center (Cecop) on Saturday, officials warned of further increases in water levels in the Alberche and Tagus rivers.
The Tagus River remains at a red warning threshold, reaching a flow of 950 cubic meters per second in Talavera de la Reina, a situation the city’s mayor, José Julián Gregorio, described as “very difficult.”
In response, afternoon classes were suspended on Friday in several schools, including ‘Ribera del Tajo,’ ‘Padre Juan de Mariana,’ ‘Puerta de Cuartos,’ and ‘San Isidro.’
In Toledo, the river has reached a flow of 450 cubic meters per second. Mayor Carlos Velázquez stated that authorities continue monitoring vulnerable areas, particularly near the National Hospital for Paraplegics, where emergency teams have been working since Thursday.
In the province of Guadalajara, authorities closed two roads on Saturday morning due to flooding and landslides: the CM-10 in the capital and the GU-211 between Palancares and Valverde de los Arroyos.
Emergency services remain on high alert as water levels continue to rise. EFE
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