euronews.com
Lanzarote Flooding: Storm Olivier Disrupts Easter Travel
Storm Olivier brought torrential rain and flooding to Lanzarote in the Canary Islands on April 12-13, 2025, impacting tourist areas like Costa Teguise, San Bartolomé, and Arrecife; a state of emergency was declared and later lifted, with airports resuming normal operations.
- What were the immediate impacts of Storm Olivier on Lanzarote, and what actions did authorities take in response?
- Torrential rains and thunderstorms caused significant flooding in Lanzarote, Canary Islands, from April 12-13, 2025, impacting tourism. Costa Teguise, San Bartolomé, and Arrecife were hardest hit, with submerged vehicles and disrupted services; a state of emergency was declared but lifted on April 13th.
- What are the long-term implications of this event for tourism in Lanzarote and similar destinations susceptible to extreme weather?
- The incident highlights the vulnerability of tourist destinations to extreme weather. Future implications include potential for increased travel insurance claims and stricter regulations around infrastructure resilience in areas prone to flooding. The event also underscores the need for effective communication and coordinated responses during weather emergencies.
- What advisories did European governments issue regarding travel to Lanzarote following the storm, and what are the implications for tourists?
- The storm, named Olivier, resulted in up to 60 liters of rain in two hours on April 12th, causing widespread flooding and damage in Lanzarote. The UK and Ireland issued travel advisories urging tourists to monitor local conditions and heed official guidance. While Lanzarote Airport resumed normal operations, some hotels remained without power and roads were affected.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the story around the disruption to Easter holiday plans, prioritizing the concerns of tourists. The headline and introduction emphasize the impact on tourism, rather than the severity of the natural disaster itself. This framing subtly diminishes the gravity of the flooding and its consequences for residents.
Language Bias
The language used is generally neutral, although phrases like "battered," "brunt," and "inundated" evoke a sense of severity that could be considered slightly loaded. While descriptive, these words could be replaced with less emotionally charged synonyms for a more neutral tone. For example, "battered" could be "affected," "brunt" could be "greatest impact," and "inundated" could be "flooded.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on Lanzarote and mentions other islands only briefly, potentially omitting the extent of damage or disruption on other Canary Islands. The impact on local residents, beyond tourists, is largely absent. The article also doesn't discuss the long-term economic effects of the flooding on Lanzarote.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a false dichotomy by focusing primarily on the disruption to tourist travel plans while minimizing the significant impact on the local population and infrastructure of Lanzarote. The focus is heavily skewed towards concerns of tourists rather than a broader perspective.
Sustainable Development Goals
The severe flooding in Lanzarote, Canary Islands, caused significant damage to infrastructure, impacting the safety and well-being of residents and tourists. This directly relates to SDG 11, which aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The disruption to essential services, damage to infrastructure, and displacement of people negatively affect the progress towards achieving this goal.