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The popular Spanish island of Lanzarote, a favorite destination for British tourists, is still grappling with the effects of torrential rainfall that occurred earlier this month, leading to the temporary closure of several hotels. This Canary Island, situated off the West African coast, experienced intense flooding nearly two weeks ago after a significant downpour.
Lanzarote Faces Lingering Flood Aftermath
A state of emergency was declared on Lanzarote on Saturday, April 12, following severe flash floods that affected homes and popular tourist locales. Subsequently, the UK Foreign Office issued a travel advisory the following day, specifically mentioning Costa Teguise, San Bartolomé, and Arrecife.
The adverse weather resulted in power disruptions and the cancellation of numerous flights.
Ongoing Challenges in Tourist Areas
Several well-known tourist locations are still experiencing the repercussions of the flooding. The municipalities of Teguise and Arrecife were exceptionally hard-hit. According to Canarian Weekly, areas like Costa Teguise, Tahíche, Nazaret, and Teseguite continue to struggle with dust accumulation caused by dried mud.
Reports indicate that wind is spreading the accumulated dust, raising concerns about potential respiratory problems and irritation to the eyes and throat.
In Arrecife, the island’s capital, overflowing sewers caused a strong odor of sewage in the streets, leading to additional health concerns.
Recovery Efforts and Hotel Closures
Local authorities and cleaning crews are actively working to manage the aftermath and remove debris. However, progress has been slow due to the widespread damage, as reported by Canarian Weekly.
Several hotels in Costa Teguise have reportedly been compelled to temporarily suspend operations, utilizing furlough schemes similar to those implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic to support Spanish workers. Flooding has damaged properties and hindered normal business activities.
Hotel Staff Redundancy Programmes
- The Meliá Hotel has announced temporary layoffs for staff for six to seven weeks, with some employees reassigned to the Sol Lanzarote Hotel.
- The H10 Hotels chain has initiated a temporary redundancy programme (ETOP) expected to last several months, during which renovations will be carried out.
- The Trébol Apartments have implemented a six-to-seven-week ERTE, a labour procedure allowing companies to suspend or reduce employee contracts for a specified duration, according to ETL Global.
Other hotels are gradually resuming normal operations. The state of emergency was lifted the day after its activation.
Canary Islands Climate and Vulnerability
The Canary Islands generally enjoy a subtropical climate characterized by warm temperatures throughout the year.
While summers are typically dry, the islands experience milder winters, which can bring more turbulent conditions and heavier rainfall, as reported by ChronicleLive.
The islands’ dry climate and volcanic terrain, which struggles to absorb significant amounts of water, make them particularly vulnerable to flash floods.