Onyar River in Girona Swells to Near-Critical Levels Amid Heavy Rain
Authorities warn residents to avoid riverbanks as flow hits 327 cubic metres per second, with more rain forecast to worsen flooding risk.
Key Points
- Onyar River flow at 327 m³/s, prompting stay-away warnings.
- Heavy rainfall from levantada event; 50-100 L/m² more expected.
- Below 2020 Gloria storm peak of 535 m³/s; no evacuations yet.
- Historical flood risks in northeastern Catalonia.
The Onyar River flowing through Girona has reached near-critical levels, with a flow rate of 327 cubic metres per second, prompting local authorities to urge residents to stay away from the riverbanks.
Girona city council has issued a warning against approaching the river or travelling near its banks, citing the heightened risk from the rising waters. Although the current levels remain well below the 535 cubic metres per second recorded during the devastating Gloria storm in 2020, officials are treating the situation with caution.
The surge stems from a levantada weather event affecting Girona's counties, which has brought heavy rainfall. Meteorologists forecast additional downpours of 50 to 100 litres per square metre in the coming hours, potentially exacerbating the river's rise.
No evacuations have been reported so far, and authorities have not specified further measures beyond the stay-away advisory. The Onyar, a key waterway in northeastern Catalonia, has historically posed flood risks during intense weather systems like the current one.
Original Sources
This article was aggregated from the following Catalan-language sources: