Girona woke up today to a sight that no one wanted to see, but which the sky had already been warning us about. The Onyar River, which provides the city’s most famous postcard image with its colorful houses, has ceased to be a calm mirror and has become a real threat. Faced with the critical increase in flow, Girona City Council has issued an emergency statement asking residents in areas close to the river to take immediate precautions.
The order is clear and leaves no room for doubt: residents in homes overlooking the Onyar, especially in critical areas such as Carme Street and Barri Vell, must go to the upper floors and avoid staying on the ground floor or in garages. The force of the water and the speed of the rise have forced the deployment of an emergency plan that seeks, above all, to prevent personal injury on a day when the weather shows no sign of letting up.
Shops closed and streets blocked in Barri Vell
The situation does not only affect residents. The city council has also requested the immediate closure of all commercial establishments located in flood-prone areas. The streets of the old town, usually full of life and tourists, now look unusual, with the shutters down and all eyes on a river flowing with unusual force.
This measure is in addition to the mobility restrictions that were already in place on river access routes. According to the latest data from the Catalan Water Agency (ACA), the flow of the Onyar River has exceeded danger thresholds due to heavy rainfall accumulated at the headwaters and throughout the Ter River basin, leaving very little room for maneuver.
A period of rain that is putting the province in check
Although the focus is on the center of Girona, the risk extends to much of the region. The combination of the current storm and ground that was already saturated with water has caused streams that are normally dry to become dangerous torrents. The authorities remind us that, beyond the spectacular images, the most important thing now is to be cautious: avoid unnecessary travel and, above all, do not approach bridges or railings to take photographs of the river.
The City Council is finalizing a municipal decree to formalize all these restrictions and coordinate the necessary assistance. In the meantime, the recommendation for anyone in the risk area is to follow Civil Protection updates and remain in high places until the water level begins to recede.