Heaviest snowfall in central Spain since 1971
Spain strives to deliver Covid vaccines in time and hastens to remove snow from streets before the cold wave coming.
By Natacha Dupertuis
January 11th, 2021
Friday night, the center of Spain faced storm Filomena : 650 roads were closed. In the area of Madrid, 20 to 30 cm of snow have fallen and 1’500 persons stuck in their car have had to be rescued. In addition, 500 people had to spend the night in temporary shelters or in the places where they were trapped. That was the case of the people in Majadahonda’s shopping center. In other parts of the country, strong rains are still falling. Temperatures dropping down to -8 °C are expected until Thursday.
Madrid citizens were surprised by so much snow, a phenomenon that hasn’t occured since 1971. On the web we can see them having fun in the snowy streets, but in fact this is a true and complex issue that the state is managing. Indeed, this situation is not facilitating health care of Covid patients because numerous streets were closed. About that, some people from the medical staff have once again demonstrated bravery by walking to their workplaces. Cars have been abandoned during these exploits. The authorities recommend staying at home to not compromise the access to hospitals and for store supplies. Public places will be closed until Wednesday.
“The commitment is to guarantee the supply of health, vaccines and food. Corridors have been opened to deliver the goods.” are Transport Minister Jose Luis Abalos words pronounced on Sunday.
To clear the roads, soldiers have been sent across Spain and 3’500 tonnes of salt are going to be delivered to Madrid. However, for the moment only the main axes of the capital are cleared, especially hospitals accesses. Shovel noises rhythm the eager work done in the city to avoid the fresh snow turning into ice. The Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska has assured today that the 350’000 doses of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, received today in Barcelona, will be distributed to all regions and that possible delays would only be minimal.
Sources
Agence France-Presse
BBC
Firstpost
