"The situation is critical, all the municipality is full of water," Mario Cervera, mayor of the town of Alcazares, one of the most affected in Murcia, told Spain's state-run TVE channel.

Rescue workers, including over 1500 army troops, were using helicopters and boats in various areas.

In addition to some 1500 people evacuated earlier, another 2000 residents of the town of Santomera in Murcia were pre-emptively removed from their homes due to a controlled release from a local dam to avoid its overflowing, the interior minister said.

Authorities have recommended citizens stay at home in the affected areas and avoid using their cars.