Rainfall totals and affected areas
Heavy rainfall has lashed central Catalonia on Tuesday 29 September 2026, with over 90 litres per square metre recorded in the Anoia region. In Canaletes, a village in Cabrera d'Anoia, 97 litres per square metre fell, of which 94 litres were recorded in just three hours, according to Santi Sagalà, head of Forecasting at Meteocat. Other significant totals include 87.7 l/m² in the Hostalets de Pierola and 30.5 in La Llacuna.
The Anoia river has already exceeded danger levels at Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, with a flow rate of 86.9 m³/s, and authorities warn levels may continue to rise. The Catalan Water Agency (ACA) issued a hydrological alert for the Alt Penedès and Anoia this morning, later extending it to Girona’s district.
Transport disruptions and school closures
Renfe suspended all high-speed and medium-distance train services across Catalonia between 09:00 and 11:00 as a precaution due to the storm. Affected services include AVE trains on the northeast corridor, Avant, Euromed, and Media Distancia routes. Regional Rodalies lines R2 Sud, R2 Nord, R3, R4 and R8 are operating with temporary speed restrictions. The Llobregat-Anoia FGC line is running only between Plaça Espanya and Masquefa, and between Piera and Igualada, with road alternatives arranged between Piera and Masquefa.
On roads, Transitària de Catalunya reported water accumulation between Vilafranca del Penedès and Igualada, advising caution on the AP-7, C-15 and secondary roads. Sections of the A-2 between Esparreguera and El Bruc were flooded, and traffic was further disrupted by an accident in Esparreguera at mid-morning.
In Barcelona, heavy rain forced the closure of several metro stations and sections of the Ronda de Dalt. Flights at El Prat airport experienced delays.
Three schools in Piera remain closed due to flooding. In Martorell, a road closure was implemented due to water on the roadway, as reported by the Mossos d'Esquadra.
Emergency response and public warnings
Civil Protection has issued an ES-Alert for the Anoia, Baix Llobregat and Alt Penedès regions, urging residents to take precautions. The alert was reissued this morning following the ACA’s hydrological warning. Deputy director of Civil Protection, Imma Solé, reiterated calls for caution and advised the public to monitor weather forecasts, noting that widespread new alerts were not planned as the population had already been informed.
Protecció Civil recommends avoiding travel during heavy downpours, using main roads only, and not approaching streams or low-lying areas. Residents are advised not to enter basements or attempt to retrieve vehicles during flooding.
The regional emergency services received 394 alerts with the Mossos d'Esquadra by just before 13:00, most concentrated in the Metropolitan South emergency region (321 incidents). The 112 emergency line received 1,435 calls relating to 1,102 incidents by 14:00, with 186 calls between noon and 14:00. The majority of calls came from Barcelonès (34%), Vallès Occidental (28%) and Baix Llobregat (25%). Municipalities most affected include Barcelona (287 calls), Sant Cugat del Vallès (226) and L'Hospitalet de Llobregat (154).
The decision to suspend train services was unilateral and precautionary, with the aim of prioritising user safety, according to Renfe.
Meteocat maintains a level 5 out of 6 weather warning for rainfall intensity, with the potential for over 40 litres per square metre in 30 minutes and over 90 litres in three hours in isolated areas. The storm front is moving slowly northward, affecting coastal areas including Barcelona and the Vallès Occidental, with further torrential and highly localised downpours expected.
Primary sources: aca.gencat.cat. Reported by elperiodico.cat, elnacional.cat, rac1.cat, Servei Meteorològic de Catalunya. Generalitat de Catalunya, infobae.com, inspain.news, El Periódico (CA).
