A state of emergency has been declared after floods left locals ‘gagging at the stench of sewage’
British tourists planning to soak up the sun in Spain are being urged to take caution as disastrous floods wreak havoc in Lanzarote, sparking a Foreign Office intervention with an essential new travel alert.
The idyllic island was thrown into chaos over the weekend after unprecedented rainfall led local officials to declare a state of emergency on Saturday (April 12). Cars were ditched in torrents that used to be streets, and residents have been gagging at the stench of sewage caused by the deluge compromising the drainage system, reports the Manchester Evening News.
In light of these events, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) stepped in yesterday (April 13) with advice for those in or heading to the areas hit hardest by the flooding, namely Costa Teguise, San Bartolomé, and Arrecife.
Power outages have plunged some hotels into darkness, while mudslides pose a dangerous obstacle on several roads. The official line from the Foreign Office instructs anyone in Lanzarote or with travel plans in the Canary Islands to heed the guidance of local authorities and keep a close eye on weather reports.
Updating travellers on its website, the Foreign Office said: “Heavy rainfall and flooding in Lanzarote occurred earlier today (13 April 2025) with Costa Teguise, San Bartolomé, and Arrecife particularly affected. Services across the island are affected. Some hotels are currently without power. Some roads are currently affected by mud. If you are in Lanzarote or travelling to Lanzarote, follow the advice of the local authorities and monitor local weather updates.”
