Flooding in northern Spain as Ebro river breaks its banks

© Ana

Floods in Zaragoza, March 2015.

Levels of the Ebro River have been high for the last 3 to 4 days. By 28 February 2015, the overflowing river had flooded around 20,000 hectares in Aragon, north-eastern Spain.

Since then river levels have continued to rise and have now flooded areas along the river in Zaragoza, the capital of the region and Spain's fifth largest city.

Levels of the Ebro at Zaragoza are now thought to have peaked. Early on Monday 02 March 2015, the river reached 6.10 meters. Several hours later the level had dropped slightly to 6.06 metres. According to Confederación Hidrográfica del Ebro, as of 11:00 today 03 March 2015, Ebro levels at Zaragoza now stand at 5.28 metres.

[embedded content]

© Confederación Hidrográfica del Ebro

Ebros River Levels at Zaragoza since 18 February 2015.

The worst affected areas are Ribera Alta del Ebro and Ribera Baja, according to the regional government of Aragon. Evacuations have been carried out in the towns of Boquiñeni (900 people) and Pradilla (600 people). The displaced found temporary accommodation with relatives or in local sports centres.

© UME

Ebro floods from the air, March 2015.

The flooding has caused damage to bridges and the ARA-1 motorway in Villafranca de Ebro, near Zaragoza.

© UME

Bridge / road collapse after Ebro floods, Spain.

Spain's Unidad Militar de Emergencias (UME) or emergency military units, are providing support to flood victims and affected towns. The UME has deployed 450 troops and 145 vehicles to the flooded areas and are carrying out emergency repairs to roads and bridges, as well as carrying out evacuations and flood rescues.

© UME

UME troops working to clear the floods