Malaga is on high alert over a disused dam that is 30cm away from overflowing following weeks of consistent rainfall.
The Los Caballeros dam in Montejaque remains under intense monitoring after hundreds of residents in the towns below it were evacuated over the past several days.
It comes as Storm Oriana heads for Andalucia, promising more rainfall for the Serrania de Ronda region, where the dam is located.
The ground in the area is already heavily saturated, and more than 150 residents remain evacuated amid fears of a potential large-scale water release.
The Government Delegate in Andalucía, Pedro Fernandez, visited nearby Benaojan on Thursday, where the majority of evacuations have taken place.
He said ‘everyone is on edge’, stressing that it is too soon to lower their guard despite a brief respite in the weather over the past two days.
Fernandez warned that although rainfall intensity is expected to be lower in the coming days, the ground is already completely saturated, meaning even moderate downpours could quickly worsen conditions.
Geological teams are monitoring the perimeter of the dam to assess the level of the surrounding aquifer, while security and surveillance remain ‘absolute’.
The Guardia Civil, the Unidad Militar de Emergencias (UME), and technicians from energy company Endesa – which owns the dam – are all involved in ongoing oversight.
Authorities are relying on the spillways (aliviaderos) to gradually release water in a controlled manner to prevent an extreme scenario.
Fernandez expressed hope that safety can be guaranteed and that evacuated residents can return home ‘sooner rather than later’.
Those displaced include residents from Benaojan and a neighbourhood in Jimera de Libar, both in Malaga province.
The mayor of Benaoján, Guillermo Becerra, said the situation remains unchanged, describing the reservoir as ‘on the verge of overflowing’ and warning that ‘every drop that falls ends up coming out’.
He highlighted the significant damage already sustained in the area and expressed hope the community can endure the coming days ‘without any human tragedy’.
Elsewhere in Andalucia, more than 3,000 people remain evacuated due to ongoing flood risks.
Authorities have identified 14 critical points along the Guadalquivir, Guadalete, Guadiaro and Genil river basins.
There have also been reports of road damage and residents in areas that are difficult to access or partially cut off.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
