In recent coverage of the impact of Storm “Leonardo” in Órgiva, reference has been made to “six individuals trapped in their farmhouses” on the far side of the Río Chico near Bayacas. Residents on that side of the river wish to provide additional information regarding the scale and nature of the situation as they are experiencing it.

Following the storm on the night of Wednesday, 4 February 2026, the community living on the farm side of Bayacas has effectively been cut off. Road access has been severely affected both at the bridge leading to the village of Bayacas and along the Río Chico track, which has made it extremely difficult or impossible for many residents to reach Órgiva. At the same time, the drinking water supply to this area was interrupted as early as Wednesday night and has not yet been restored.

While the Ayuntamiento de Órgiva has publicly reported its efforts to clean affected areas, assist those impacted, and provide drinking water and shower units within the town of Órgiva, residents on the farm side of Bayacas have not had comparable access to these measures. In practice, this has meant:

• No direct access to the drinking water distribution points in Órgiva for many residents, particularly the elderly or those with limited mobility, due to the destruction of access roads.

• Children being unable to attend school because safe routes are not available.

• Lack of on site visits from the responsible services to check on residents’ conditions on the far side of the river, and the absence of clear, proactive information about any plan to restore water supply and normal access.

In the first days after the storm, residents waited patiently, fully aware of the seriousness of the overall emergency and the pressure on local authorities. Over time, however, in the absence of direct support or clear communication, many have felt overlooked. The community has had to self organise to provide water, food and care, especially for those who are physically unable to provide for themselves.

On Saturday morning, a group from the Bayacas community came together to document the actual number of people affected on the far side of the river, including families with children and those still able to reach the area where the Bayacas bridge used to provide access. A summary of this situation was shared on social media as a call for help.

Subsequently, work began on the damaged bridge structure. Residents recognise and appreciate this effort, but they also wish to highlight that the bridge was not designed to withstand the volume of water observed on Wednesday night. Similar problems occurred during the 2009 floods, when the Bayacas bridge became blocked by rocks and fallen trees. This raises questions about riverbed maintenance and preventive measures, particularly given that the recent storm had been forecast in advance.

At present, the river is again passing under the bridge and some residents can walk into town. However, with further rain forecast, there is concern that renewed flooding could again block the river and isolate the area. A small quantity of bottled water has been delivered (for example, a few 5 litre containers), but there is still no confirmed timetable for restoring the drinking water connection, nor a clear explanation communicated to residents.

The community in Bayacas wishes to express its frustration at what is perceived as long term neglect of this access route and basic infrastructure. In the short term, residents urgently need:

• Restoration of the drinking water supply to the farm side of Bayacas.

• Clear, accessible information about interim support measures for water, food and medical access.

In the longer term, they hope for:

• A functional, safe bridge and properly maintained road access on both sides.

• Preventive planning and river maintenance that take into account the increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.

Residents emphasise that their intention is not to single out individuals, but to give an accurate picture of their situation, to complement existing reporting, and to encourage constructive solutions that ensure the safety and dignity of all affected neighbours.