By Adam Woodward

Copyright euroweeklynews

An extreme storm system battered the Balearic Islands overnight, causing widespread disruptions to air travel including cancelled flights and triggering almost 50 emergency incidents across Mallorca. The archipelago remains under an orange weather alert until 7pm Wednesday due to heavy rain and thunderstorms.

At Palma’s airport, 79 flights have been cancelled so far, with numerous delays and nine flights diverted to other destinations. Ibiza’s airport reported 20 cancellations and two diversions, while Menorca’s airport, initially spared, began experiencing delays by Tuesday evening. The heavy rainfall, which started in the early hours, led to significant operational challenges at the airports, with some delays stretching several hours.

In Mallorca, emergency services responded to 48 incidents by 10am on Tuesday, September 9, most of which from Palma. Other affected areas included Calvià, Algaida, Andratx, Manacor, Marratxí, and several smaller municipalities. The majority of incidents involved flooded basements and public roads, fallen trees, and dislodged objects like awnings and shutters. In Palma, firefighters were called to a flooded basement in Son Gotleu around 3am, while fallen trees, including a large pine on the Paseo Marítimo, blocked roads and disrupted morning commutes in areas like Sant Agustí and Playa de Palma.

In Calvià, emergency crews cleared trees and branches from major roads, including the MA-15, and streets in Son Ferrer, Galatzó, and Capdellà. The storm also caused power outages in Capdellà due to a fault in Endesa’s electrical grid and damaged telephone lines in Malgrats. Falling trees and branches damaged vehicles, street benches, and private property, with one building in Calvià Vila requiring inspection after a balcony railing partially collapsed.

The official meteorological department, AEMET, warn of continued instability, with strong showers and thunderstorms expected throughout, which will last until Wednesday. Emergency services remain on high alert as the islands brace for further impacts from the ongoing storm.