Heavy rains and high winds predicted

The Civil Defence department has issued a warning of heavy rain, of up to 60 litres per square metre, and winds of up to 80kph. The Balearic Meteorology Institute said that rainfall recorded in the first five days of the month in the Balearics was higher than the average for the whole month. One of the wettest areas has been the port of Pollensa, where 86 litres of rain per square metre fell in the first five days, compared to an average for the whole month of 49 litres. Rainfall in Sa Canova, Artà, was 56 litres compared to an average of 45, and Portocolom was 38 litres compared to an average of 22. As to Palma, records at Porto Pi show 32 litres, when the average is usually less than 26 litres per square metre. Farmers say that heavy rain at this time of year usually does “more harm than good.” It often leads to an increase in diseases and plagues they added.