Record Rainfall Brings Travel Chaos To Madrid
Yesterday,Thursday October 19, saw the heaviest rainfall to hit the capital in a 24-hour period in more than 100 years.
Storm Aline, swept the region from east to west bringing flooding and travel chaos to the capital.
According to the Spanish state meteorological agency AEMET, the storm broke rainfall records bringing up to 90 litres per square metre in the capital over the course of 24 hours.
Other municipalities badly affected by the storm yesterday were Alcala de Henares, Rivas-Vaciamadrid, Las Rozas, Getafe and Leganés.
Three of the four wettest days since records began in the capital have been recorded in the last two years – 2021 and 2023.
The previous high was in 1972 but DANA, that hit the capital in September saw widespread flooding and left two people dead.
Yesterday the constant heavy rain brought travel chaos as commuters tried to get home in the evening rush hour.
Traffic throughout the capital was severe and the main circular motorways of the M30 and M40 saw tailbacks of up to 4 kms.
The high speed AVE train service from Atocha was suspended due to the flooding of the station and service was interrupted on several Metro lines as well as the overland Cercanías routes.
In addition the Recoletos & Sol tunnels were flooded meaning that all services between Nuevos Ministerios to Sol and Atocha were cut for several hours.
The storm lightened overnight and this morning saw the clean-up begin.
The weather for the rest of today and tomorow is cloudy but dry and with sunny intervals with heavy rain forecast to return from Sunday for three days.
