This week's rains have brought both good and bad news. The good news is that Majorca's drought is over with the island's two main reservoirs about to burst their banks. The bad news is that the heavy rain which fell throughout Thursday night and most of yesterday forced the closure of a number of roads. Traffic police were forced to close a stretch of road between Soller and Santa Maria near Bunyola after a local river burst its banks. The decision to close the road was taken late yesterday afternoon as rain water started to spill on to the road in a number of areas and the level of water in the river continues to rise. The 112 emergency service reported that drivers had also encountered problems along the Sineu road after the river burst its banks and also along the Montuiri to Petra road which also suffered severe flooding. Traffic police however only decided to close parts of the Sineu road. Localised flooding on the outskirts of Manacor and Palma also caused problems for drivers and police are asking drivers to take care on the road over the weekend.The level of water held in Majorca's two main reservoirs has risen significantly again this week. Palma municipal water board Emaya said yesterday that this week's rains have also has an important effect on the level of water in the island's wells. Emaya said yesterday that some 729.080 cubic metres of water has flowed from Llubi into the s´Extremera well since January 3 and the level of water has reached 11 metres. Three of Emaya's other main wells, Can Negret, Bonet and Alaró-1 have also enjoyed substantial increases in water. The reservoir Gorg Blau was last night 86 per cent full and Cuber reservoir was holding a record 92.3 per cent and as water flooded down from the mountain tops, was reaching its maximum water line. Balearic Environment Minister, Margalida Rossello, revealed yesterday that the Bay of Palma desalination plant had been shut down on Monday and will remain out of action for a period of 17 days while repairs are carried out and filters changed. She said that apart from the work being vital, now is an ideal time with water consumption at an annual low and natural water levels nearly back to normal.
Balearic droght is now over