Rainstorms in Murcia, SpainA number of drivers had to be rescued from their cars in Cartagena on Monday
Fourteen roads were closed to traffic in Murcia this Monday, with lengthy tailbacks on the A-7 and A-30 motorways, as heavy rain storms hit many parts of the Region. La Verdad newspaper said 110 litres per square metre fell in the space of six hours in Cartagena and, in Mazarrón, 80 litres, and drivers in the areas worst affected were asked to leave their homes at home.
A number of people had to be rescued from their vehicles in Cartagena and many schools were unable to open. The official start to the new school year, in a ceremony with the Regional President, Ramón Luis Valcárcel, due to take place in la Palma this Monday morning, was cancelled.

The western part of Cartagena was seriously affected, where normally dry river beds burst their banks. The Town Hall said in a press release that three people were rescued from their cars early on Monday while trying to cross the Rambla de Canteras, and that one of the vehicles was washed away by the strong current.
Other drivers were rescued in Tallante and the road to Perín was closed to traffic after a retaining wall gave way and collapsed onto the carriageway.