Álora, one of the flooded towns in Málaga province, remains without potable water for the fourth day running following the intense storms caused by DANA. Although the local council had made progress in restoring the water infrastructure, the quality of water remains poor.
This morning, the council announced it had to halt water distribution again due to high turbidity levels. The latest setback comes after another bout of rain hit the El Chorro area overnight, where the town’s main water sources are located.
According to Álora’s municipal statement, “the rain has left the water with too much turbidity, forcing us to shut down the supply until the quality improves.” While the council has not provided a clear timeline, it has assured residents that water service will resume as soon as the supply becomes clearer and safe for use.
Challenges in restoring water to 13,000 residents
Since Tuesday, over 13,000 residents have faced water shortages after the Guadalhorce River burst its banks, flooding and clogging local wells with silt. Recovery efforts have focused on the least damaged supply line at El Chorro, but muddy conditions have continued to hamper progress. Yesterday, town officials shared an optimistic update, telling residents they aimed to restart the pumps this morning, hoping for a successful restoration of service.
Emergency measures in place
The council had initially repaired the water infrastructure, but the added rainfall meant their plans had to be adjusted. For now, the town has deployed emergency water tankers, allowing residents to collect essential water supplies. Volunteers are also distributing bottled water to households still cut off from the main roadways, ensuring aid reaches the most isolated areas.