David Vigario Merida

Merida

Updated Friday, January 19, 2024-13:49

This Friday, Storm

Juan

put Extremadura at risk of flooding.

The regional administration has activated the emergency phase of the Special

Flood Risk

Civil Protection Plan for

Extremadura

(Inuncaex).

As a consequence, the management of the Special Civil Protection Plan for Flood Risk of Extremadura (Inuncaex) has expanded the declaration of the emergency phase to emergency situation 0 for this entire community due to the rains that have fallen during the last few hours.

In this sense, the yellow alert for rain has been reported since an accumulated rainfall of 15 liters per square meter in one hour and up to 40 liters per square meter in 12 hours is expected.

The first consequence has been the overflowing of the

Erjas river,

which has forced the CC-146

Zarzar la Mayor

highway (Ex117) to be cut to the border with

Portugal

.

At this time, there are four roads closed in the province of Cáceres and five in

Badajoz

.

There are also problems on the highway between

Badajoz

and

Mérida

.

The heavy rainfall has caused a pool of water towards

Madrid

.

Traffic has asked for extreme caution while driving.

The heavy rains brought by Storm

Juan

have caused traffic chaos in Badajoz, the closure of roads and the closure of municipal parks and outdoor sports complexes.

The water has flooded part of the city and has surprised many drivers and pedestrians.

There are dozens of videos that spread on social networks with graphic testimony of the situation that is experienced throughout the city.

In addition, the

Municipal Emergency Plan

of the city of Badajoz in situation 0 has been activated in the city and its districts, whose parks and outdoor sports facilities will remain closed this Friday "until further notice" due to the yellow level due to heavy rainfall.

The most affected areas in the capital of Badajoz are the banks of the

Gévora

and

Zapatón

rivers , the

Guadiana

and the

Rivillas

and

Calamón

streams .

A car has been trapped by the floods at the exit of the city, specifically near the

Don José restaurant-sale.

The alert will be active until 6:00 p.m. this Friday, as reported by the Government of Extremadura.

Given this forecast, 112 Extremadura recommends that the mayors keep the Civil Protection volunteer groups of their respective localities on alert, as well as the Local Police and maintenance services of their City Council so that they review and Pay special attention to sinkholes, holes and walls in poor condition.

The sports competitions scheduled for this Friday afternoon within the

Extremeños Sports Games (Judex) have also been suspended.

Citizens in general are recommended to travel on the roads with the greatest possible caution, paying special attention to possible landslides, not crossing flooded roads, not parking in dry riverbeds or on the banks of rivers.

At home, keep drains and water evacuation systems clean.

And, if necessary, contact 112.