No one expected that in such a short time and in such a localized way the sky would bring so much water to the southern town of Playa Blanca, where around 1:30 p.m. this Sunday, it began to rain literally cats and dogs to the point that shops and restaurants located along the town's seafront avenue were flooded, as well as homes.
It was about 90 liters of water per square meter that fell in less than two hours according to the Yaiza City Council and 50.7 liters according to the National Institute of Meteorology, although its record is between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. this Sunday. According to the mayor of the municipality, Gladys Acuña, the absence of wind meant that all the water was concentrated in the tourist town.
A downpour that, as Acuña acknowledges, served to highlight the shortcomings of the town in terms of water pipes. And it is that the natural ravines through which the water has always run "have been blocked with the constructions", explained the mayor. "All these pipes have been artificially redirected into a single ravine that crosses the town and flows into the beach," she said. But that single ravine is also partially blocked by a cistern, located very close to the mouth. "On days like yesterday when the water level was significant, the water does not pass because it is blocked by the cistern and overflows." In such a way that it reached the adjacent shops and restaurants, located on the seafront avenue.
The same thing happened in the area near the town's school, where the water pipe was blocked with gorse, stubble and wood. In that case, the water entered a nearby house, causing damage, although fortunately, it was just a scare.
City Council officials approached the affected area where the Lanzarote firefighters, Local Police and Civil Protection of Yaiza and Tías, as well as 10 Emerlan volunteers with a rescue vehicle and another assistance vehicle and a motor pump were working. At least until 8:30 p.m. at night, the Emerlan members were draining water in one of the flooded properties.
Even dependencies of the luxurious Hotel Princesa Yaiza in Playa Blanca were affected by the rains and also registered breakdowns.
Arrangements
According to Gladys Acuña, the City Council is working on the preparation of a list that includes "the black spots" of the town that have been affected in order to fix them "as soon as possible." The mayor pointed out this Monday morning that she will fix "those that correspond to the City Council", but on the other hand, the affected points that belong to partial plans will be the responsibility of the promoters and owners of those areas. "We will have a meeting with them and they will be invited to remedy it," declared Gladys Acuña, "we are in a very bad economic situation and I hope to have all their collaboration for the benefit of all."
