Nearly two weeks after the heavy rains swept across Lanzarote, the island continues to grapple with the aftermath, particularly in the municipalities of Teguise and Arrecife.
Streets in areas such as Costa Teguise, Tahíche, Nazaret, and Teseguite remain coated in dust from dried mud, and in parts of Arrecife, sewage overflow has added to the disruption, creating both logistical and health concerns for residents.
The accumulation of dust is now being carried by the wind, raising concerns of respiratory problems and irritation to the eyes and throat. Local authorities and cleaning crews are working tirelessly to clear debris and restore normality, but progress is slow due to the scale of the damage.
Hotels Hit Hard
Costa Teguise’s tourism sector has also taken a significant hit, with several hotels forced to close temporarily. Flooding damaged properties and affected operations, leading to the implementation of emergency measures to alleviate the problems.
The Meliá Hotel has announced a temporary layoff (ERTE) lasting six to seven weeks, although some staff are being relocated to the Sol Lanzarote Hotel. H10 Hotels, meanwhile, are taking advantage of their closure to carry out renovations and have activated a redundancy programme (ETOP) expected to last four months. Staff are being offered transfers to Playa Blanca during this time.
The Trébol Apartments have also initiated a six-to-seven-week ERTE. Other hotels, including Sands Beach, Santa Rosa, and Vitalclass, are assessing damages but have avoided layoffs and are gradually resuming activity.
Environmental and Infrastructure Concerns
The runoff from ravines, especially the Hurón ravine, has caused notable environmental disruption. Playa de Las Cucharas has been affected by sediment and debris, discolouring the normally clear waters and deterring beachgoers.
Eugenio Robayna, Councillor for Roads and Works in Teguise, discussed the urgent need for action, announcing a proposed €3 million investment plan to clean and restructure the Hurón ravine and construct reservoirs to better manage stormwater in future events. He also emphasised the necessity of clearing filter wells in Tahíche and Costa Teguise to prevent further flooding.
Robayna noted that the cleanup is being deliberately timed to allow the mud to dry, which makes removal easier than dealing with heavy, wet sediment. However, this wait has left many public areas, such as the Las Cucharas Shopping Centre car park, still in poor condition, prompting frustration among locals who feel neglected.
Power Outages and Repairs
The storm also caused electrical outages, notably in Avenida de las Palmeras. While these issues are now being addressed, work is expected to continue throughout the week to restore full service.
As Lanzarote moves from emergency response to long-term recovery, both the local government and residents are calling for more robust infrastructure planning and better stormwater management systems to avoid a repeat of the damage seen this month.
With tourism impacted and public health at risk, the storm’s legacy has become a wake-up call for the island’s preparedness in the face of increasingly unpredictable weather events.
