Manzanares River Breaks Its Banks After Weeks Of Unprecedented Rainfall

The three weeks of intensive and consistent rain that Madrid has experienced is without parallel in recent years.

All rainfall records have been broken for the region which has seen the River Manzanares break its banks in several areas and Madrid´s dams close to overflowing and many reaching full capacity – in itself a novelty.

The regions reservoirs have risen by an estimated 20% of water volume since the beginning of March.

The El Pardo dam which is the principal control for the Manzanares River into the capital was releasing some 60,000 litres of water per second in an attempt to control reservoir levels.

However the Manzanares did break its banks near El Pardo which caused widespread flooding affecting the Puerta de Hierro Sports Park and the Somontes Hockey Complex.

The last time Madrid´s river broke its banks to such an extent was in 1947.

The Madrid authorities have restricted pedestrian access along the riverbanks from Mingorrubio to the Puente de los Franceses, while the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET ) has issued a yellow weather warning of up to 5cms of snow expected to fall in the Sierra overnight.

To the west of the capital at least 48 people have been evacuated from the municipality of Mejorada del Campo, after the rivers Jarama and Henares broke their banks on Friday said the mayor of the town, Jorge Capa.

“Tonight we have evacuated with Local Police and Civil Protection in a preventive way 48 neighbours due to the flooding of the Jarama and Henares rivers, more than two meters since this morning,”

The continued downpours, combined with discharges from Madrid’s reservoirs, have triggered flood alerts across the region. Deputy Mayor, Inma Sanz, confrmed that the city’s level 1 Flood Plan remains active, as emergency teams keep a close eye on the Jarama River, particularly in the Rejas and La Muñoza areas.

Meanwhile, the Madrid Mobility Management Center temporarily shut down parts of the M-30 & M-40 circular motorways, while the municipalities of Villalba, Galapagar, Titulcia, El Escorial, and Rivas have braced themselves for further flooding this weekend.

The weather is forecast to improve by midweek with rising temperatures and a dry front expected.