Spain issues urgent warning for Balearic Islands tourists to take extreme precautions

Spanish authorities have warned tourists headed for the Balearic Islands of heavy rain. (Image: Getty)

The Directorate General of Civil Protection and Emergencies of the Ministry of the Interior has warned of heavy rain in large parts of northeast Spain

and the Balearic Islands, according to Tuesday’s forecast from the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET).

The trough, which is moving across the region, is leading to increasing instability, the agency explained. 

The warning comes as many prepare to embark on their off-peak holidays as people have returned to school or work and many late-summer deals are in effect.

From Wednesday, the entire Mediterranean area will be affected, eventually expected to be felt over a large part of the country, AEMET warned. 

The formation of low pressure and humidity in the interior is expected, which, together with thermal instability, will favour the formation of showers and storms that may periodically be strong. 

Catalonia is one of the four autonomous communities that has rain warnings in place. (Image: Getty)

On Wednesday, showers accompanied by storms are expected in areas in the eastern half, Civil Protection has warned. Currently, four autonomous communities have rain warnings in place: Aragon, Castile-La Mancha, Catalonia and Valencia.

By Thursday, the trough will affect a large part of the mainland and the Balearics and that humidity from the Mediterranean, coupled with winds from the Atlantic could cause storms during the afternoon which will extend over a large part of the country. 

On Friday and Saturday, instability is expected to be concentrated mainly in the northern half of the mainland. However, the agency pointed out that there is great uncertainty about the forecast and has advised the general public to keep informed at all times of the possible evolution of weather changes.

With the threat of flooding, people should locate on the highest points in the area and avoid rivers. (Image: Getty)

The agency has issued a series of recommendations to tourists and residents in the regions, including asking that those intending to travel stick to main roads and motorways. If you are driving in the middle of heavy rain, it is recommended to slow down, take extreme precautions and not stop in areas where large amounts of water may flow including flood plains. 

With torrential rain comes the threat of flooding. For this reason, people should be located on the highest points in the area and have been urged not to cross flooded stretches with their vehicles or on foot as they do not know what may lie under the water. 

Those in the countryside have been urged to stay away from rivers, streams and low areas of hills. It has also recommended not to take shelter under trees and to stay away from wire fences and metal objects.

The warning comes as wider Europe continues to be battered by Storm Boris, which has killed 21 people as of Tuesday. Six people, including four firefighters, have died in northern Portugal alone, according to The Independent.

British tourists to countries including the Czech Republic and Poland have also been warned of severe flooding and urged to check local conditions before travelling.