By Mónica Uriel (ANSA) – MADRID, 09 GEN – The Spanish capital was blocked due to a historical snowfall, with thicknesses of up to 60 centimeters, caused by the most intense storm in the last 50 years that hit the country and caused the less four victims
It was the biggest snowfall in Madrid since 1971 and left 33 liters per square meter in the form of snow after snowing 30 hours in a row
Madrid was one of the regions most affected by the storm, which also caused heavy snowfall in Castilla La Mancha
The situation in the capital was described as “very serious” by the mayor, José Luis Martínez Almeida, who said that “it is a city practically blocked from the point of view of mobility” and asked the people of Madrid to stay in their homes
In the city you could see people skiing through some of its streets
The fatalities occurred in Malaga, where a vehicle with two people on board was swept away by a flood
Another person died in Madrid, in a street situation, and a fourth in the town of Zarzalejo (Commune of Madrid), was found dead in his car
The storm Filomena caused collapses in the ring roads and entrance to Madrid and the occupants of up to 1,500 vehicles that had been trapped were rescued by the army
The government mobilized a device of 1,300 snowplows, the “most ambitious in history,” said the Minister of Transport, José Luis Abalos, who acknowledged that the magnitude of the storm was greater than expected
The situation “is not going to end with the removal of snow, but there is a risk of significant frosts that affect all transport infrastructures,” Abalos warned
For this reason, the government prepares a device for guided convoys to guarantee the supply of medicines and food.
Barajas airport has been closed since yesterday and the railway service to or from Madrid is also suspended
The classes in schools and institutes, which were to begin this Monday after the Christmas holidays, will not do so in Madrid at least until Wednesday
Felipe VI suspended his schedule for Monday and Tuesday. (ANSA)
