Majorca placed in ‘lockdown’ as it braces itself for storm which killed at least 158 in Spain

Majorca is under ‘lockdown’ as it braces itself for heavy rains and storms which battered mainland Spain earlier this week, resulting in the deaths of at least 158 people. The island, along with Menorca, is under an amber alert today and tomorrow, as the weather front moves across the Balearics.

Yesterday, a meeting was held by emergency services to coordinate a response should any flooding occur across the islands in the coming days. Palma’s first deputy mayor, Javier Bonet, has urged residents to stay at home and only leave if absolutely necessary, local news site Majorca Daily Bulletin reports.

He said: “We are not on red alert, but it is essential to warn the population to avoid greater risks”. People are urged to follow measures to protect themselves, such as securing doors and windows, staying in the upper areas of the house and avoiding low areas such as basements and garages.

READ MORE: Search continues for victims in Spain's deadliest floods, with 158 confirmed dead

People are urged to avoid unnecessary journeys to minimise risks from potential floods. The stormy weather coincides with a national holiday today, All Saints Day, with many families planning on visiting cemeteries.

But Majorca’s capital city Palma has taken the decision to close its cemeteries from Friday afternoon until Monday, along with public parks and gardens. Javier Bonet also announced that all homeless people will be evacuated from settlements near torrents or flood zones.

Emergency services have ramped up staffing for the weekend , with the council increasing the number of firefighters, local police, Civil Protection and cleaning and sewage workers. It comes after the Valencia region in mainland Spain was hit by devastating floods on Tuesday evening.

The flood water swept up cars and transformed streets into rivers, creating death traps. In some areas buildings were swallowed up by the water. The mammoth clean up effort has begun to clear the mud and debris which has covered towns and villages.

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