The south and southwest of Gran Canaria are bracing for a Monday of weather-related downpours, but with their eyes on the sky. The Gran Canaria Island Council has confirmed that it is maintaining Level 1 of the Island Civil Protection Plan (PEIN) emergency plan. Although Storm Therese is beginning to subside, the threat of localized storm bands is keeping the municipalities on the southern slopes and the summit on edge.
This Monday, local authorities from the PP-AV and CC parties, along with technicians from the Island Water Council (CIA), are scheduled to conduct an on-site assessment of the actual impact of the rains. The focus is on the safety of the ravines and the road network, which has been severely affected by landslides and mudslides.
The island council has been firm: the closure of outdoor facilities and activities across the entire southern slope remains in effect. The aim is to prevent unnecessary travel that could hinder the work of the more than 1.200 emergency professionals working tirelessly.
The positive news—amid the emergency—is the spectacular filling of the reservoirs. President Antonio Morales has already announced that the island's dams have collected more than 14 million cubic meters of water. In the south, the situation is under constant monitoring: Dams like El Mulato and Gambuesa are already releasing water in a controlled manner.
The iconic Las Niñas dam could begin releasing water in the coming hours. The Sorrueda reservoir, one of the most important water sources in southeastern Spain, is already at 70% of its capacity, a figure that guarantees irrigation for the region's agricultural sector for the next few months.
Although the wind has eased slightly, strong gusts continue in the higher elevations. Authorities have issued a desperate plea to the public to avoid "flood tourism." "Parking and walking in public waterways is prohibited," the Island Water Council reminds everyone, given the risk of new storm cells causing sudden increases in water flow overnight. The rough seas along the south coast make any kind of nautical activity or approaching the surf zones inadvisable. Normal conditions are not expected to fully return until next Wednesday or Thursday, when the trade winds are expected to regain control of the island's weather.
