Heavy rain and reservoir burst trigger severe flooding in Telde, Gran Canaria

Heavy rainfall in Telde, Gran Canaria, on March 3, 2025, triggered severe flooding, road closures, and powerful currents that swept vehicles into ravines.

The situation worsened when a reservoir burst, releasing 700 000 liters (185 000 gallons) of irrigation water, which forced the closure of a major road. Residents of García Ruiz Road were unable to enter or leave the area until midday. Fortunately, emergency services confirmed that no casualties were reported.

In response to the hazardous conditions left by the storm, the Telde City Council announced the closure of multiple beaches on the morning of March 4, including La Garita, Hoya del Pozo, Playa del Hombre, El Barranquillo, Melenara, Salinetas, and Ojos de Garza, citing safety concerns after the heavy downpour.

The Telde City Council has urged residents to avoid travel as emergency response teams work to clear the damage. Several coastal areas and roads remain inaccessible because of waterlogging and landslides.

“This is a security measure to ensure the safety of citizens. After the storm, the beaches are not in a condition to receive users,” María Calderín, head of the Department of Beaches, said.

Municipal workers, in collaboration with the security forces, are actively working to restore the affected areas.

The eastern and northern areas of La Palma, southeastern Tenerife, and northeastern Gran Canaria experienced the most intense precipitation.

Multiple municipalities, including Arucas, Teror, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Santa Brígida, and Valsequillo, also faced disruptions because of the ongoing heavy rains.

According to the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet), rain and snow will persist in the Canary Islands, albeit with reduced intensity, through March 4. Snow has been accumulating in high-altitude areas in Teide National Park in Tenerife and Roque de Los Muchachos in La Palma. Ice patches have resulted in road closures, including TF-24 between Los Loros and El Portillo, TF-445 from Buenavista to Faro de Teno, and LP-4 to Roque de Los Muchachos.

Aemet data indicates that temperatures will remain stable, with Las Palmas experiencing a high of 19°C (66°F) and a low of 13°C (55°F), while Santa Cruz de Tenerife will see temperatures ranging from 9–9°C (48–68°F).

Showers are expected to continue throughout the day on the northern and northwestern slopes of the western islands. In higher altitudes, snowfall is likely above 1 800 m (5 905 feet).

Tenerife’s Island Council has also restricted access to Teide National Park, cutting off entry via La Esperanza and La Orotava because of ice hazards. The TF-38 route from Chío is closed from kilometer 13, and TF-21 from kilometer 59 near Vilaflor remains inaccessible.

References:

¹ Rain and snow continue in the Canary Islands – rtvc – March 4, 2025

² The rain wreaks havoc in Telde – rtvc – March 3, 2025

Rishika Yadav

Rishika holds a Master’s in International Studies from Stella Maris College, Chennai, India, where she earned a gold medal, and an MCA from the University of Mysore, Karnataka, India. Previously, she served as a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India. During her tenure, she contributed as a Junior Writer for Europe Monitor on the Global Politics website and as an Assistant Editor for The World This Week. Her work has also been published in The Hindu newspaper, showing her expertise in global affairs. Rishika is also a recipient of the Women Empowerment Award at the district level in Haryana, India, in 2022.

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