At least 51 people have died and dozens are missing after torrential rains hit Spain.
“Unfortunately, we can confirm that some bodies have already been found, but out of respect for the families we are not going to give more details,” said Valencia regional leader Carlos Mazon.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said an unspecified number of people were missing due to the flooding and asked citizens to act with “great caution” and avoid moving unless necessary.
The state meteorological agency AEMET issued a red alert in Valencia and the second highest alert level in parts of Andalusia.
The Spanish government set up a crisis committee on Tuesday, according to the Palace of La Moncloa. It will be chaired by Sanchez and from today Wednesday will coordinate the work of the Civil Guard, the National Police, the General Directorate of Civil Protection and the Military Emergency Unit.
Spain has faced similar autumn storms in recent years due to climate change. The country has recovered from a severe drought this year thanks to rainfall.
Warnings of extreme rainfall were in effect in some areas, including around Valencia, on Tuesday, according to Spain’s Meteorological Agency, AEMET. These warnings called for 200 millimeters (4 in) of rain in less than 12 hours.
In some locations rainfall estimates were exceeded in even shorter periods. Chiva, which is east of Valencia, received 320mm of rain in just over four hours, according to the European Severe Weather Database.
🚨#BREAKING: CHICA, Spain is having some «Catastrophic Flooding, It’s as if the world is ending!»
13.5 INCHES of Rain in 4 hours! 🤯
4:30 PM and 8:30 PM. TODAY!The flooding taking place in Valencia, Spain is biblical!
Video credit: Nalabcer#ChivaFlood #Flood #Spain pic.twitter.com/S2cHad7Zjl— In2ThinAir (@In2ThinAir) October 29, 2024
Where are the floods caused?
The heavy rainfall was attributed to a phenomenon known as gota fria, or “cold drop”, which occurs when cold air moves over the warm waters of the Mediterranean.
This creates atmospheric instability, causing warm, saturated air to rise rapidly, leading to the formation of towering clouds within hours and dumping heavy rain in eastern parts of Spain.
Due to the extreme weather, roads were closed, cars were swept away, train services were canceled as well as several flights, while some that were to land in Valencia were diverted to other cities in Spain.
«Seeing the resilience of people amidst such intense flooding is truly inspiring. Sending strength to everyone affected in #Valencia and across Spain stay safe and hold on, brighter days are ahead. #Chiva #Storm #Spain #Floods #Flooding #SpainFloods #Flood… pic.twitter.com/GvXIUZEL09
— Socialist Nikhil (@socialistnik22) October 30, 2024
They search for missing persons with drones
Emergency services, with the help of drones, are searching for six people who were missing after flooding in the city, the spokesman for the central government in Castilla-La Mancha told Spanish public broadcaster TVE.
A truck driver has also been missing since yesterday afternoon in the city of Alcudia.
Dozens were rescued by helicopter in Alora, Andalusia, after a river overflowed.
Devastating flooding in Valencia, Spain has turned deadly as torrential rains overwhelmed the region. Around 50 cm of rain fell in just 8 hours, leading to water rescues and road closures. Authorities urge residents to seek higher ground. Stay safe, Valencia! 🌧️🚨 #ValenciaFloods… pic.twitter.com/niy3HOi9Qp
— NPB #ClimateActionNow #COP29 (@CO2__29) October 30, 2024
Devastating Floods in Spain behind the passage of strong storm systems (DANA) that left several cities under water #Spain pic.twitter.com/CjQzjuhjVQ
— Coach Climate of X 🌊 (@mudancanospolos) October 29, 2024
🇪🇸 Spain Flooding
Watch as people cling to the roofs of their cars for dear life as they’re swept away.
Flooding is rampant across the World – you all know why. pic.twitter.com/PjNbUfIAEw
— Concerned Citizen (@BGatesIsaPyscho) July 18, 2024
#Spain #Biblical #disaster #floods #dead
