Madrid residents have been told to stay indoors as torrential rain sweeps across Spain

MADRID (Reuters) – The mayor of Madrid on Sunday advised all residents to stay indoors as the capital braced for heavy rains and storms affecting parts of Spain.

The National Meteorological Agency AEMET issued a red alert, meaning possible severe danger, for Sunday in the Madrid region, the province of Toledo and the city of Cadiz.

It said up to 120 liters per square meter of rain could fall over a 12-hour period in Madrid.

Madrid Mayor Jose Luis Martinez Almeida wrote on X, previously on Twitter: “Due to the exceptional and abnormal situation, in which rainfall records will be broken, I ask Madrid residents to stay indoors today.”

Dark storm clouds gathered over Madrid early Sunday afternoon, but many people were outside as usual.

“I think (the red alert) is a good idea. The best thing you can do is not use your car today. It will be stronger at six o’clock so we will do it,” said Manuel Loro, 42, a Madrid resident. Go home earlier.”

Madrid’s emergency services sent text messages to residents warning them of the risk of flooding and advising them not to use vehicles.

The Spanish League suspended the evening match between Atletico Madrid and Seville at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid due to the alert.

And in Alcanar in Tarragona on Spain’s east coast, emergency services have locked residents in their homes due to flooding after 215 liters per square meter of rain fell in the past 24 hours.

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