A dry Spanish summer has now descended into an autumn of dangerous weather, with the Costa del Sol's typically sunny climes overshadowed by Status Red alerts at several favoured resorts.
Holiday-goers from UK and Ireland planning trips to Spain are being alerted to brace for turbulent conditions, including torrential downpours and potential flooding that may wreak havoc across regions of the nation.
In destinations like Malaga, Marbella, Torremolinos, and Fuengirola - which are hotspots for Irish tourists - thousands of locals are facing the prospect of evacuation in light of imminent flood dangers.
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The Civil Protection Agency of Spain took to issuing widespread phone alerts within the province of Malaga shortly past 10pm yesterday, cautioning in both Spanish and English: "Red warning activated. Extreme risk of rainfall. Be very cautious, avoid travel."
As a precautionary measure, all educational institutions throughout the province have closed, impacting around 300,000 students, reports the Irish Mirror.
AEMET, Spains meteorological authority, is also advising residents and visitors to gear up for "very heavy to torrential rain and showers".
According to AEMET's particular weather bulletin, a low-pressure sector, referred to as DANA, is expected to traverse from France toward the Iberian Peninsula, instigating intense downpours and powerful gusts. The most severe weather is anticipated to commence on Tuesday, November 12, and persist until Friday, November 15, with certain locales seeing rainfall totals approaching 150mm.
Images from yesterday depicted terrified locals barricading their homes with boards or piling sandbags in anticipation of the impending disaster. In some coastal regions, residents resorted to wrapping their vehicles in plastic sheets to shield them from potential floods.
Supermarkets in parts of Malaga have been emptied of items such as mineral water and meat as locals began hoarding supplies, according to Mirror UK.
Castellon, north of Valencia, another region on red alert, has already experienced the brunt of DANA, the latest severe weather event to impact Spain. Towns like Benicarlo, renowned for its yearly music festival, and Vinaros were among the hardest hit.
Last night, bins were spotted floating down flooded streets, causing difficulties for drivers. Today's school closures due to the adverse weather will also disrupt thousands of children in the northern part of Costa Blanca, including areas like Denia and Calpe near Benidorm.
Valencia city and some of its suburbs, still recuperating from last month's devastating floods, have also chosen to suspend classes.
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