Storm Therese Triggers Sediment Runoff at Tenerife’s Anaga Coast
Heavy rainfall from Storm Therese has caused significant sediment runoff into the waters off Tenerife’s Anaga coast, prompting authorities to urge public caution due to the risk of landslides and difficult terrain.
The rugged landscape of the Anaga massif—a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve—has once again shown how vulnerable it is to extreme weather. Recent images from Skylinewebcams reveal that the waters off the coast of Benijo have turned a murky, earthy brown following Storm Therese.
While the sight is striking, it is a natural result of the area’s steep terrain. Heavy rainfall on Sunday turned mountain ravines into channels, washing sediment and eroded soil from the peaks down to the coast. Experts explain that this cloudiness is a direct consequence of surface runoff on Tenerife’s characteristically steep slopes.
With rain continuing and sea conditions remaining rough, the Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council is following advice from the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) and urging the public to be extremely cautious. Officials are advising people to avoid traveling to the Anaga area, where the difficult terrain makes emergency responses challenging and increases the risk of landslides or blocked roads.
The situation at Benijo highlights how coastal ecosystems struggle during torrential rain, as the soil becomes saturated and washes into the ocean. As authorities maintain their warnings, the event serves as a reminder of how closely the stability of the island's peaks is linked to the health of its northern coastal waters.