Here we go again

Downpours flooded Marinas Alta and Baja this week

Torrential downpours caused flash floods early this week

THE beach at the beautiful Javea cove of Cala Granadella was carved in half by raging flood water running off the hillside behind, carrying debris including wood and boulders.

Normally a dry riverbed, it was suddenly a powerful torrent of fast flowing water as rainwater was channelled to the sea – and an illustration why parking was banned in the waterway in 2017 during the busy high season for safety reasons.

On Tuesday afternoon the heavens opened over the Marina Alta town, meteorologists say between 60 litres and more than 80 litres of rain per square metre fell in four hours – two intense cloudbursts were recorded during the afternoon storms.

A large slab of stone fell off the cliffs at Cala de la Barra - a popular tourist spot because of its picturesque fishermen’s cottages, beach and safe anchorage – but plunged harmlessly into the sea.

And the area behind the Arenal beach used for parking for people headed for the sand or the restaurants, bars and shops lining the promenade was again flooded; cars left axle-deep in water.

The intensity of the sudden downpours also turned roads and streets into rivers until the rain subsided; stones and mud left across the carriageway; certain streets were closed for a time for safety reasons.

Streets and dry river beds were also flooded by torrential downpours in Altea, Albir (where the Boulevard de los Musicos water way became a river - see below left) and Benidorm (where a river mouth appear on Levante beach - above)

Les Deveses beach 'vanishes' during storms

Les Deveses beach on the Costa Blanca's far north once again disappeared beneath the waves during the recent torrential rain, leaving the water lapping at the walls of seafront homes (see photo below right).

The sea has been gradually reclaiming the land on this coastal stretch, which is geographically in El Verger but 'owned' by Dénia, and owners are concerned about the future of their homes if this continues.

High tides were halfway up the steps to villas with private beach accesses and even slammed onto their terraces on Monday and Tuesday.

By Wednesday, the waves had receded in the Llucema river area, but farther south, the sea was knee-deep right in front of beach-side buildings.

Homeowners have been pressing authorities to take action to keep the sea at bay before it is too late.