Andalucia has activated its flood emergency plan as heavy rain and thunderstorms threaten six of the region’s eight provinces.
Emergencies minister Antonio Sanz announced that the plan had entered level one on Friday.
The measure covers Almeria, Granada, Jaen, Cordoba, Sevilla and Huelva.
Residents have been urged to avoid riverbeds, flood-prone areas and any roads covered by water.
‘Protect yourself, don’t risk it,’ Sanz warned, telling the public to follow instructions issued by the 112 emergency service.
Orange warnings in Almeria and Granada
Aemet issued orange warnings for parts of Almeria and Granada, where rainfall could reach 30 litres per square metre.
The alerts cover the Almanzora Valley and Los Velez in Almeria, together with Guadix and Baza in Granada.
They remain active from midday until midnight on Friday.
Yellow warnings are also in force in Levante Almeriense and the Nacimiento and Campo de Tabernas areas, where storms could deposit up to 20 litres per square metre in one hour.
Storms expected across Jaen
Much of Jaen has also been placed under a yellow warning for heavy rain and thunderstorms from midday until midnight.
The affected areas include Morena and Condado, Cazorla and Segura, the Guadalquivir Valley and the provincial capital and surrounding mountains.
Rainfall could reach 20 litres per square metre within one hour.
Late-night warnings in Sevilla, Huelva and Cordoba
Thunderstorms are expected to spread into western and central Andalucia later on Friday.
Aemet has issued yellow warnings for the Sierra Norte of Sevilla, Aracena in Huelva and the Sierra and Los Pedroches area of Cordoba.
Those warnings will run from 10pm on Friday until 2.59am on Saturday.
Authorities have reminded drivers never to attempt to cross flooded roads, watercourses or dry riverbeds during intense rainfall. Residents should monitor official information and call 112 only in an emergency.
