Pipe Burst Floods Calle Olmos: Palma Shopping Arcade Underwater

Pipe Burst Hits Popular Shopping Street in Palma

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In the early hours, a burst pipe flooded Calle Olmos, in the Catalan Carrer Oms. I was on site around 8 a.m.: the air smelled of wet concrete and cleaning agents, a cafe had its shutters halfway down. You could see hoses, puddles in shop windows and store employees fighting the floodwaters with mops and buckets.

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Large deployment by Emaya and police

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Technicians from the city utility Emaya were quickly on site, as were units of the Palma local police. The men and women worked with pumps and excavators to drain the water and locate the rupture. Pedestrian areas were cordoned off, some shops remained closed. Residents reported that water supply had been shut off in several houses as a precaution.

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Also the street pavement has suffered. Cracks and sunken or raised tiles appeared on the roadway – more than just a wet sidewalk. A neighbor who has lived on the street for ten years said she had not seen anything like this here before. Repairs are expected to take days, according to the city administration.

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Investigation ongoing

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Why the pipe burst is currently being investigated. Possible causes are aging wear or a sudden stress on the system. Emaya is expected to present a detailed analysis in the coming hours. Until then Calle Olmos remains partially closed and traffic – both pedestrians and deliveries – will be diverted.

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Business owners are worried. A florist who wished to remain anonymous said many deliveries are canceled and the first customers have already walked away. A small bookstore moved its displays to the back room to avoid damage.

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What residents should know now

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If you live in the area: check your water connections and do not hang electrical devices in flooded rooms. The city recommends taking photos for insurance claims and following only official instructions from authorities. When the water supply is restored, there may be short-term pressure fluctuations.

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There are also everyday scenes showing how quickly the neighborhood organizes itself: a baker lent his wheelbarrow to the janitor, and two shopkeepers coordinated drying equipment together. This is typical for this corner of Palma – first the problem, then the improvisation.

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I will stay on it and update the report as soon as Emaya or the city provides more details on the cause and the repair timeline. Until then: avoid Calle Olmos at least for now, expect closures, and plan a little extra time if you are heading to the center this morning.