UPDATE: |Lanzarote struggles to recover after floods leave streets ‘covered in mud’ and ‘beaches contaminated’ News

Hotels have been forced to close on the popular holiday island as cleanup efforts continue

Holiday hotspot Lanzarote is struggling to recover after storms struck the island two weeks ago, with floods leaving streets coated in ‘mud’ and causing ‘sewage overflow’.

The island, one of the most popular in the Canaries, was hit by heavy rains on Saturday, April 12, resulting in the government declaring a state of emergency due to the flooding.

A travel warning was even issued by the UK Foreign Office as the areas of Costa Teguise, San Bartolome and the capital of Arrecife were particularly affected.

Although the heavy rains swiftly moved on, the island continues to deal with the aftermath of the floods, local news site Canarian Weekly reports.

Cleaning crews are still clearing dried up mud and debris from the streets, but “progress is slow due to the scale of the damage”.

In parts of Arrecife, “sewage overflow has added to the disruption, creating both logistical and health concerns for residents.”

Another hazard is dust “ carried by the wind, raising concerns of respiratory problems and irritation to the eyes and throat.”

Several hotels have been forced to close on the island due to flood damage.

The news site reports that the Meliá Hotel has announced a temporary layoff (ERTE) lasting six to seven weeks, with some staff relocated to the Sol Lanzarote Hotel.

Meanwhile the hotels chain H10 is using the time to close for renovations and has activated a temporary redundancy programme.

Another concern on the island is the runoff from ravines, which has “caused notable environmental disruption.”

This has impacted nearby beaches, including Playa de Las Cucharas where sediment and debris has “discoloured the normally clear waters” and deterred beach-goers.

Following the floods, both the local government and residents have called for “more robust infrastructure planning and better stormwater management systems to avoid a repeat of the damage seen this month.”

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