Over 365 homes in Campanillas of southern Spain have been evacuated due to severe flash flooding caused by torrential rains.
Coupled by Storm Laurence, which has brought nearly 100mm of rainfall and wind gusts of up to 90 km/h, sweeping through the province overnight.
The most affected areas include the Guadalhorce Valley, where the Campanillas River burst its banks, flooding entire streets.
Rivers such as the Turón and the Guadalhorce have also overflowed, leaving parts of Cártama and Almogía submerged. Nineteen more rivers remain on high alert as water levels continue to rise, threatening further damage.
To prevent structural damage, officials have begun controlled water releases from the Casasola dam, which has exceeded its designed capacity of 22 million cubic metres, now holding 25 million.
Regional officials ordered the evacuation of 365 homes in the village of Campanillas near Malaga city late on Monday.
The evacuees spent the night in a municipal sports hall.
Authorities have also shut down roads and suspended classes in eight schools across the region.
A total of 40 highways across Andalusia, as well as some rail lines, had to be closed due to rising waters. Spain’s meteorological agency Aemet has placed parts of the Andalusia region and the Balearic Islands on orange alert, warning of rainfall and storms that could be very strong to torrential.
