In Spain, devastating flash floods caused by heavy rain on October 28 have resulted in at least 158 deaths. Angel Victor Torres, the minister responsible for cooperation with Spain's regions, announced the figure during a press conference, adding that many people remain missing.
Record Rainfall in Valencia
Reports indicate that some areas in Valencia received a year's worth of rain in just eight hours on October 29. Of the confirmed deaths, 155 were in Valencia, with additional fatalities reported in the nearby regions of Castilla-La Mancha and Andalusia, including a British citizen.
Rescue Operations Underway
On October 31, rescue teams found the bodies of eight individuals, including a local police officer, who were trapped in a garage in Valencia. Mayor Maria Jose Catala stated that a 45-year-old woman was also discovered dead in her home in the same area.
Infrastructure Devastated
The floods have severely impacted Valencia's infrastructure, destroying bridges, roads, and rail tracks while inundating farmland, which produces a significant portion of Spain’s citrus fruits. Transport Minister Oscar Puente reported that about 80 km of roads in the eastern region were either heavily damaged or completely blocked by abandoned vehicles, some of which contained victims.
Government Issues Warnings
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited a rescue coordination center and urged residents to remain indoors as more storms are expected. He emphasized the importance of protecting lives during this crisis.
More than 1,200 rescue workers, including drone operators, were mobilized to search for survivors as rain persisted across the country. In the aftermath of the flooding, over 90 deaths were reported on Wednesday alone, with many people still unaccounted for. Spain has entered a three-day national mourning period, with flags at half-mast and moments of silence observed in honor of the victims.
The recent floods are among the worst in Spain in generations, potentially marking Europe’s most severe storm-related disaster in over 50 years. The death toll from the floods on October 29 is the highest since 1973.
Weather experts suggest that a combination of factors, including climate change, contributed to the intense rainfall. A weather phenomenon known as "gota fria," which occurs in autumn and winter, combined with warmer sea temperatures, resulted in the heavy downpours. Research indicates that climate change has made these extreme weather events much more likely, with current conditions being significantly influenced by human activities.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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