Marbella Residents Resort to Boats Amid Torrential Rain
In Marbella, residents were compelled to use boats to reach their homes after heavy rainfall transformed roads into rivers. The deluge on Sunday resulted in severe flooding in the Nueva Andalucia region of the coastal town, blocking access to Calle Aries for several hours.
Residents Navigate Flooded Streets
Images shared on social media showed some residents navigating from their doorsteps by boat, while others were seen wading through waist-high water after removing their shoes to get to their homes. A video sent to the Olive Press by a reader depicted the extent of the flooding in residential areas.
Urban Planning Blamed for Recurring Flooding
Property owners are pointing fingers at the council for poor urban planning, which they claim is the cause of the recurring flooding. They argue that this issue arises every time the area experiences heavy rainfall.
Repeated Complaints to Marbella’s Town Hall
Kalinka Latcheva, the manager of Nine Lions Residences, one of the areas most affected by the flooding, stated that they have reported this issue to Marbella’s town hall multiple times, but no action has been taken to address it.
Large Property Blocking Rainwater Flow
One of the main issues is a large property built in the riverbed, which is believed to obstruct the natural flow of rainwater from the hills in the interior. Marbella is infamous for planning irregularities, a legacy of a corruption scandal dating back to the tenure of Jesus Gil, a former mayor of Marbella from 1991 to 2002, when planning permissions were allegedly granted in exchange for bribes.
More Rain Expected in Andalucia
The torrential rain that caused widespread flooding across the Costa del Sol is expected to continue in Spain’s Andalucia region until next Wednesday. Despite the inconvenience, the recent rains have guaranteed a summer water supply for the tourism sector on Spain’s Costa del Sol.
