Heavy rainfall in Madrid: A critical situation in the airport district

Friday 21 March 2025 - 12:08

By: Zahouani Ilham

Heavy rainfall in Madrid: A critical situation in the airport district

The Mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez Almeida, has highlighted the severe impact of the flooding in the Airport District, describing it as a situation of "special incidence." However, he assured that the overall situation remains stable, although road closures may occur if necessary. Currently, the M-30 to M-40 ramp towards the A-6 has been fully reopened. Authorities have urged citizens to stay informed about weather and traffic conditions as more rain is expected at noon. Emergency services have advised against unnecessary travel, and all universities in Madrid have suspended activities due to the weather.

The Madrid 112 emergency service handled 123 cases related to the heavy rain during the night, with 29 requiring intervention from the fire department, particularly in municipalities near the Jarama and Henares rivers.

In Toledo, Talavera de la Reina, and surrounding municipalities, river levels are expected to rise, prompting reinforced vigilance. The President of Castilla-La Mancha, Emiliano García-Page, has urged citizens to exercise caution and assured that all alert systems are active. He emphasized the importance of monitoring public facilities like schools along the riverbanks.

The rainstorm, Martinho, which is the third consecutive storm this month, has caused significant disruptions in Madrid. The force of the Manzanares River's flow was noticeably stronger than usual, and it led to the closure of the M-30/M-40 junction early this morning due to the impending river rise.

With continuous rainfall, universities have canceled classes, and teleworking has been recommended. Madrid’s emergency services are maintaining high alert, and additional road closures are not ruled out.

Due to the weather, a demonstration planned for Saturday in Madrid by the Spanish Confederation of Medical Unions (CESM) has been postponed until April 5.

Ecologists in Action have suggested removing the gates from the Manzanares River dams as a safety measure to reduce risks during river flooding. They argue that the natural flow of the river, including islands and vegetation, would slow down the water and minimize damage.

In the Pyrenees, Martinho has also caused severe winds and heavy rainfall, with gusts reaching up to 165 km/h.

The Mayor of Madrid reported that the city has received 215 liters of rain per square meter so far this March, five times the average.

While the situation in Madrid remains stable, Mayor Almeida urged caution, particularly around the Manzanares River, as the city prepares for more rain.