The heavy rains that have hit Arrecife in the last few hours have left a panorama of chaos in several areas of the capital, with streets turned into rivers, flooded basements and overflowing sewers. The residents of Antonio Machado Street, in front of Los Cuarteles, have once again suffered the consequences of a recurring problem: "My house is completely flooded, as it always is when it rains a little," denounced an indignant resident.
According to data from the Lanzarote Emergency Consortium, 60.8 mm of precipitation were recorded in the Tenderete street area in just two hours, while in Punta de los Vientos the figure reached 43.2 mm. These intense rains exceeded the city's drainage capacity, causing the collapse of drains and flooding roads such as the main avenue of Los Cuarteles.
Another of the affected areas was the Charco de San Ginés, where all the sewage has ended up, leaving an unbearable smell. "It's a disgrace," said a local resident. Argana Alta is another of the areas most affected by the rains, where water from the upper area, together with the overflowing of the sewers, has caused mud and sewage to run.
Given the situation, the Island Emergency Plan (PEIN) was activated and will remain operational until 7:00 in the morning to coordinate the cleaning and assistance to those affected. Firefighters and municipal teams are working to pump out the stagnant water and remove the sediments dragged by the currents.
Neighbors fed up with the lack of solutions
Residents of the most affected areas have been demanding improvements to the sewage system and preventive measures for years. "This happens every time it rains heavily, and nobody does anything," lamented another neighbor while helping to remove water from his garage.
