by Staff Reporter
PALMA
THE heavy rain which hit Majorca yesterday morning forced the metro to close and caused flooding in buildings, brought down trees and led to traffic problems across the island.
According to emergency services sources, the metro, which runs from Palma's Plaza España to the Balearic University, was out of service all morning because of the rain which caused flooding at the Son Sardina station.
A dozen passengers trapped on the platform had to be evacuated via the emergency exit. Firemen from the Palma and Council of Majorca brigades and workers from the emergency services worked against the clock to clear the water while Local Police officers informed passengers of the situation.
The workers had to pump water out of the Son Sardina station and the underground passage which connects with the car park.
There was also a power cut at the transport hub which lasted for several hours.
The emergency services received hundreds of calls between 7am and 9am, reporting flooding in Capdepera, Inca, Alaro, Manacor, Binissalem and Calvia, including Santa Ponsa, Camp de Mar and port of Andratx.
Firemen also spent a large part of the morning pumping out water from garages and pavements in the Son Castello industrial estate, while the Calle Eusebio Estada was closed to traffic from 7.30 to 8am at the railway bridge.
The rain caused sewage outlets to overflow in some areas causing spillages on Cala Mayor beach in Palma.
The island was put on yellow alert, the lowest level, and is used to warn people to take precautions because of the rain.
Rainfall was 50 litres per square metre in Bunyola, 46 litres in Alfabia, 45 litres in Es Verger in the east of the island, and 25 litres in Palma.
The weather man said the storm entered Majorca via Soller and Valldemossa, moving to the centre and the east, where the rain was heaviest.