Severe rain floods streets and disrupts travel in Mallorca and Catalonia
A 63-year-old woman died after being swept away by floodwater on a Mallorca street, while heavy rain forced school closures and transport delays across Catalonia.
On Wednesday, a 63-year-old woman in Felanitx, Mallorca, slipped or tripped on Calle Bellpuig during intense rainfall and was swept into floodwater, eventually becoming trapped beneath a vehicle; despite neighbor and emergency attempts, she died. By early evening, the Balearic Islands logged over 150 weather-related incidents, most of them in Mallorca, including fallen trees and flooding of buildings and roads. In Catalonia, five comarcas faced severe-weather restrictions, prompting the suspension of schools, universities and many outdoor activities, and urging residents to work from home.
Forecasts warned of heavy downpours, hail larger than two centimetres, winds over 90 km/h and possible tornadoes, with some locales receiving more than 30 litres of rain per square metre. Transport was hit hard, with around 30 flights cancelled at Barcelona airport and rail services delayed. Authorities later eased the strictest mobility measures but kept class suspensions in place until the afternoon.
