Dry weekend ahead in Axarquia and Costa Tropical

LOCALS will be relieved that the weather forecast for the coming weekend in the Axarquia and Costa Tropical area does not include rain.

Axarquia was left battered and bruised after another bout of floods last weekend. The MA-3112 from Almachar to Velez-Malaga had to be closed, and taps ran dry in El Borge and parts of Comares after pipes were damaged. At the time of going to press, the water supply had still not been restored.

In the Nerja area a wall in the sports centre collapsed and the premises were flooded. The Maro beach road was eroded creating several large potholes, and parts of the rock wall surrounding the Hotel Avalon collapsed.

Meanwhile in Almuñecar more than 100 litres per m2 more of rain than last year has already fallen. Rainfalls have been considered by experts and farmers as very positive for subtropical fruits and cropss in general.

Since September, it has rained a total of 350 litres per square metre. While in 2011 the overall figures were 287 litres, this year 400 litres have been recorded in two and a half months. In Malaga city 2,000 and 3,000 insurance claims are expected after 112 litres per square metre fell in three and a half hours last Saturday.

Some of the worst affected areas in the city included Ciudad Jardin, El Limonar and Los Asperones. El Palo, Carretera de Cadiz and the city centre also sustained flood damages. A small tornado was reportedly spotted near Malaga Airport.