Lorraine Williamson
Storm Jana is battering the Costa del Sol with heavy rain, strong winds, and hail, causing significant disruptions to daily life. Since Friday, intense rainfall has led to flooding in several areas, making roads impassable and forcing emergency teams into action.
Authorities warn that severe weather conditions will persist into next week.
Landslide blocks Marbella-Ronda road
Continuous rainfall has triggered landslides, particularly in hilly areas. One of the most severe incidents occurred on the A-397, the road connecting San Pedro de Alcántara (Marbella) to Ronda. A landslide completely blocked both lanes, forcing motorists to take lengthy detours. Emergency crews are working to clear the debris, but progress has been slowed by a collapsed bridge, which will require several days to repair.
Other roads have also been affected, including the MA-3402 near Almogía, where water from the Campanillas River has submerged parts of a bridge. While some secondary roads have been reopened after clearance efforts, the MA-8302 near Genalguacil remains closed due to ongoing rainfall.
Air traffic delays at Málaga Airport
Storm Jana has also disrupted air travel, with at least five flights at Málaga Airport delayed or diverted due to strong wind gusts reaching 70 km/h. Passengers are advised to check flight updates before heading to the airport.
Weather warnings in place across Andalucía
The Spanish meteorological agency (AEMET) has issued widespread warnings for continued rain and strong winds. The Costa del Sol, Seville, Córdoba, and parts of Cádiz and Huelva are under a yellow warning, with up to 80mm of rain expected in 12 hours. A more severe orange warning has been issued for Ronda, western Cádiz, and the Huelva coast, where rainfall could reach 30mm per hour. These warnings remain in effect until midnight.
Persistent rainfall expected
Meteorologists predict that storm Jana will bring continuous rainfall over the coming days. Jesús Riesco, director of AEMET, described the storm as a deep depression causing “significant accumulations of precipitation.” While Saturday will see the heaviest rainfall, wet conditions are expected to persist into Monday.
“The rainfall will not be extremely heavy, but its persistence is the issue,” Riesco explained. “One rain front will follow another, increasing flood risks.”
Rivers at risk of overflowing
Several rivers have already reached warning levels, including the Genal, Guadalhorce, and Grande. In Bobadilla, the Guadalhorce River has risen over three metres, while Cártama and Los Llanes are also experiencing rapid water level increases. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely to prevent severe flooding.
Cloudburst in Tolox
A cloudburst in Tolox caused 44 litres of rain per square metre to fall within an hour. Since Friday evening, 106 litres per square metre have been recorded in the area. Heavy rainfall has also been reported in Casasola (47 l/m²), Villanueva de la Concepción (62 l/m²), and Benahavís (50 l/m²).
Despite the extreme weather, emergency services have received only around 20 reports of flooding and fallen trees, with no serious injuries reported.
As storm Jana continues, residents are advised to remain cautious and stay updated on further weather alerts.