Heavy rain and water releases from reservoirs have led to the Manzanares River reaching critical levels at the entrance of Madrid. The Confederación Hidrográfica del Tajo (CHT) reported a flow rate of 589,406 cubic meters per second at the San Fernando bridge before 10 PM on March 20, 2025, surpassing red alert thresholds. This alarming figure resulted in authorities declaring precautionary measures across the region.
The Agencia de Seguridad y Emergencias de la Comunidad de Madrid has advised residents to limit their travel due to the severe weather conditions and potential flooding. Following the rainfall, the Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (Aemet) issued a yellow alert for heavy rainfall across the entire Community of Madrid, expected to last until at least 2 AM on March 21. Furthermore, high winds of up to 80 km/h in the Sierra region compound concerns about safety.
On the night of March 20, travel restrictions were initially considered on major roads such as the M-30, M-40, A-6, A-2, and A-5; however, these were ultimately not enacted at the time, as authorities continued to monitor the situation. Late Thursday evening, the regional emergency service confirmed it was unnecessary to close any key roads but warned that actions might be taken if conditions worsened further.
The heavy downpours, which have persisted since February 28, have resulted in water accumulation on park grounds, prompting the closure of El Retiro and eight other parks in Madrid. These closures were enacted to prevent accidents amidst the forecast of intense winds and further rain over the next 48 hours. Municipal technicians conducted a review of trees in parks to minimize risks of falling branches and trees in adverse conditions.
The city has experienced a record-setting March this year, with the Retiro-Madrid station reporting rainfall that has exceeded 188 liters per square meter, surpassing historical levels. The extreme weather conditions also led to a temporary suspension of Metro line 7 between Las Musas and García Noblejas stations, although service resumed shortly after, reflecting the ongoing challenges faced by city infrastructures.
In a brief each evening following the ongoing situation updates, the Comité Asesor del Plan de Actuación de Inundaciones was convened to discuss emergency measures in response to the mounting threats posed by flooding. This city's administration is continuously working alongside the CHT and regional authorities, maintaining vigilance as they monitor the Manzanares and nearby Jarama rivers closely.
As Madrid’s vice-mayor, Inmaculada Sanz, indicated, the authorities are actively coordinating actions to ensure public safety while keeping residents informed through official channels. Moreover, educating the public about the dangers of the heavy rainfall has underscored the critical need to avoid any areas at risk of flooding.
Overall, officials have expressed that while the chances of significant road closures were low at that moment, the unpredictability of Mother Nature remains a constant challenge. Thus, residents are being urged to stay tuned for updates from official emergency sources. The situation is being reconsidered based on current observations and the forecast, with ongoing possibilities of more pronounced impacts from the storm system known as 'Martinho' on areas across Madrid.
In summary, as Madrid navigates through this tumultuous period, the focus remains heavily placed on public safety, communication, and readiness to respond to any developments stemming from the intensifying weather. The coordinated effort between city hall, emergency services, and meteorological agencies is paramount in managing the aftermath of excessive rainfalls and potential flooding.
