Spain is experiencing its worst flooding in decades, after a year's worth of rain fell in a matter of hours in the country's southern and eastern regions this week. The storm began on Tuesday and has so far claimed at least 155 lives, according to authorities in the worst-hit region of Valencia, while dozens more are reported missing. The floods have engulfed cities and roads, caused rivers to burst their banks and left thousands of residents without electricity and drinking water.
Where did the most damage occur?
The eastern and southern regions of Spain often face rain during the autumn, but this year's rainfall was outside forecasts. Most of the victims are located in Valencia, a coastal region on the Mediterranean and a tourist area during the summer. Flash floods engulfed rural areas and blocked major highways, while the city of Valencia was forced to use public buildings as temporary morgues due to the casualties.
In the town of Paiporta in Valencia, at least 40 people lost their lives, including 6 elderly people. Public transport services and railways were suspended, while schools, museums and public libraries remained closed until Thursday. Flooding was also reported in cities such as Murcia and Malaga, where more than 100 mm of rain fell.
How has the government reacted?
More than 1,000 soldiers have been mobilized to help rescue operations, according to Spain's Defense Minister Margarita Robles. The region of Valencia faced great difficulties, while some areas could only be reached by helicopter. Valencia's regional head, Carlos Mazon, reported that rescue teams were finding bodies after reaching areas isolated by the floods.
The Spanish government sent emergency warnings to residents, advising them to stay at home or seek higher ground. Spain's State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) issued extreme rainfall warnings, including forecasts of 200mm of rain within 12 hours in some areas. In some cases, these forecasts were exceeded within a short time.
Spain's prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, pledged support for the victims and declared three days of national mourning, urging citizens to be vigilant. Meanwhile, thousands of residents of Valencia's suburbs remained without electricity and drinking water until Thursday as search and clean-up operations continued.
What caused the flood?
According to Spanish meteorologists, the flooding was caused by a phenomenon known as "gota fría" or "cold drop", which involves a mass of cold air trapped in the atmosphere. This phenomenon occurs more often in autumn and causes heavy rainfall.
While the exact role of climate change in this flood still requires analysis, scientists warn that global warming increases the chance of extreme rainfall. Higher sea temperatures and warmer air hold more moisture, turning this into torrential rain.
How does it compare to previous floods?
This flood is one of the most destructive that Spain has experienced in decades. In 1959, a flood claimed 144 lives in Ribadelago, but then the disaster was caused by a burst dam rather than natural rainfall. In 1996, another natural flood killed 87 people near Biescas in the Pyrenees. Despite Spain's severe flooding in recent years, nothing compares to the level of devastation this week.
