Heavy snow causes 12-hour power cuts for towns in southern Catalonia

Several towns in the south of Catalonia have been left without electricity for more than twelve hours following the heavy snowfall brought by Storm Filomena.

Falset, Arnes and other towns in the Priorat and Terra Alta areas were among the worst affected, with the gas supply also being disrupted.

Electricity supplier Endesa told the Catalan News Agency (ACN) that there are several incidents in the area, specifically six points where the supply is failing.

Attempts to restore power were complicated by the adverse weather conditions, with reports of technicians having to walk three kilometers through the snow to find the breakdowns on Saturday.

Staff were able to solve some of the supply issues on Saturday but at 9pm there was another power cut which lasted through the night.

150 staff returned to work from 6am on Sunday morning and generators have been sent to the areas still without power.

Snow and wind to ease slightly

The Catalan Civil Protection Agency has warned that the snow and wind will continue throughout Sunday, although it is expected to ease slightly.

Firefighters have been involved in 266 incidents due to the storm, 83 between 8pm on Saturday and 9am on Sunday. The emergency number 112 has received 901 calls.

On Saturday, Spanish transport minister José Luis Ábalos said that four people have died in Spain due to the storm.