A rare ‘red weather alert’ has been issued in a popular holiday destination for British tourists, warning of ‘extraordinary danger’ from flooding. Torrential rains have caused chaos in Spain’s Costa del Sol and Valencia regions, leading to flooding in major destinations like Malaga and Marbella. Local residents have been evacuated, and one of two missing men swept away by strong currents has been found dead.
The two men, aged 53 and 54, went missing in Alhaurín el Grande, Malaga, after their van got trapped in floodwaters while they were driving through the area. One man’s body was discovered miles away from where the van was found in the Fahala River. The search for the second man continues with the involvement of 100 people, including police and volunteers.
Spain’s meteorological agency, Aemet, has raised the alert to the highest level for the Sol and Guadalhorce areas of Malaga, parts of Murcia, and the southern coast of Valencia. Forecasters predict up to 150mm of rain within 12 hours, causing the Guadalhorce River to overflow, flooding nearby towns and farmlands.
Social media images depict Malaga and Marbella streets turned into rushing rivers of muddy water, engulfing cars and properties. Floodwater has inundated a major train station in Malaga, disrupting transportation, and emergency services are inundated with calls from stranded residents.
Residents in Cártama, Doña Ana, and Santa Amalia have been evacuated due to rising waters, with emergency alerts broadcast across affected regions. Tourists are advised to avoid the hardest-hit areas where floodwaters have reached several meters high. Andalusia President Juanma Moreno warns of ongoing threats of heavy rain and further flooding, urging vigilance in Malaga.