Three beaches in Malaga city have returned to normal after swimming was discouraged following sewage discharges into the sea caused by heavy rain.

Malaga City Council confirmed on Sunday that green flags are once again flying at Campo de Golf-San Julian, La Misericordia and Sacaba, meaning bathing is permitted.

The precautionary measures were introduced on Saturday after an overnight storm dumped up to 20 litres of rain per square metre on parts of the city.

The downpour caused the drainage system to overflow at several locations, resulting in discharges into the Mediterranean.

Municipal water company Emasa said the incidents were ‘brief and of low volume’.

Although the affected beaches were not formally closed, authorities advised people against entering the water as a precaution while the situation was assessed.

However, San Andres beach remains under a red flag, with swimming still prohibited while municipal workers continue cleaning the area.

The council’s Beaches Department has been working at San Andres since Saturday and said the green flag will be restored once the clean-up operation is complete.

It means three of the four Malaga beaches affected following Saturday’s storms have now returned to normal, with San Andres the only one where bathing remains temporarily prohibited.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.