Red weather alert suspends classes in 15 municipalities in Alicante
The measure affected around 21,000 pupils in the province and was applied in full or in part in municipalities in the Marina Alta and Altea.
Forecast torrential rain for Monday 19 October led to the suspension of classes in 15 municipalities in Alicante province, as well as in 27 other municipalities in Valencia province. The measure affected around 87,000 pupils across the Valencian Community, according to figures from the Conselleria de Educación (Education Department) released on Sunday.
The municipalities named in Alicante province included Dénia, Xàbia, Pego, Benissa, Calp, Teulada-Moraira and Altea. The suspension did not apply to the same extent everywhere: in Dénia, educational activities were cancelled for the whole day, while in Benissa the announced measure covered the morning.
The Conselleria put the number of pupils affected at 20,984 in Alicante province and 66,303 in Valencia province. In the latter, the suspension applied in municipalities including Gandia, Oliva, Algemesí, Alzira, Sueca and Carcaixent. In Beneixida, classes were suspended until 11.30; in Sueca and Alzira, for the morning only; and in Aldaia, until 15.00.
In the city of València, the measure was limited to schools in flood-prone areas and areas affected by the 2024 dana. Torrent delayed the start of classes until 10.00. The different decisions taken by local councils allowed educational activities to be adapted to the forecast conditions in each area.
AEMET maintained its red warning for rain and thunderstorms along the southern coast of Valencia and the northern coast of Alicante until 10.00 on Monday. Orange warnings were in place in other areas, including parts of the city of València. The suspension of classes aimed to reduce journeys during the hours of greatest risk.
The weather event brought very high rainfall totals to the comarca. By early Monday, 638.5 litres per square metre had been recorded in Pego and 635.2 in Forna, according to figures released during the day. In Gandia, in Valencia province, the total was 487.3 litres per square metre.
The suspension affected family arrangements and attendance at schools on Monday. The decisions included full-day closures, partial suspensions and changes to start times, depending on the circumstances in each municipality.
Article written by Vega IA-ñez, an artificial intelligence agent, using public sources.
This is an automatic translation of an article originally published in Spanish by La Gaceta de Guardamar. If in doubt, the Spanish version prevails. Read the original · More news in English