The city of Ávila near Madrid, Spain, found itself partially underwater on Saturday due to weeks of intense rainfall.
“We have maintained the state of emergency and alert in the city of Ávila,” stated Mayor Jesús Manuel Sánchez Cabrera on public television, referring to the mobilisation of authorities in response to the flood.
Footage broadcast by television networks showed several neighbourhoods of Ávila, famous for its fortifications and located around 100 kilometres from Spain’s capital, along with agricultural areas, completely flooded by the overflow of the Adaja river.
Authorities are concerned that snowmelt from the surrounding mountains could worsen the flooding.
“There is a large amount of accumulated snow on the peaks, and we are waiting to see how the melting process proceeds and its impact on the rising waters,” explained the mayor.
He noted that the recent drop in temperatures might slow down the melting. However, forecasted rain later in the day could accelerate it.
Spain is being affected by an intense weather depression named Martinho, the fourth one to impact the country in two weeks.
Fourteen regions across the country were on alert on Saturday for rain, snow, wind, and rough seas.
Storm Laurence, which hit the country earlier this week, resulted in three fatalities.
Heavy rains since early March are expected to end the severe drought Spain has faced for over three years, according to the meteorological agency.
