At least 64 people have died and others are missing after devastating floods hit eastern Spain since Monday (28), according to local authorities, in one of the worst natural disasters to strike the country in recent years.
The catastrophic flooding swept away cars, inundated homes, and cut off electricity across eastern Spain. Rescue teams faced neck-deep water to save some residents.
In the town of Chiva, in the eastern Valencia region, nearly a year’s worth of rain fell in eight hours, said Spain’s meteorological agency, illustrating the ferocity of the storm. Other areas in the south and east saw more than a month’s worth of rain in less than 24 hours.
Wide areas appeared almost completely submerged, and dozens of cars were piled up after the flooding, according to images released by the Civil Guard. Some buildings were reduced to soaked rubble.
Damage to roads and bridges left rescuers struggling to reach some areas. Strong winds also damaged telecommunications and power supply infrastructure in the region. About 155,000 customers were left without power, according to the Valencia power supplier.
The highways leading to the region’s capital, also called Valencia, were filled with debris and covered in mud, according to local media images, and the subway was flooded. Regional trains were halted on Wednesday, and schools were closed in several places.
And it seems the deluge is not over yet: More rain was expected on Wednesday.
Although storms are typical during the fall in Spain, locals were shocked by the amount of rain: over 70 gallons per square meter in some villages.
Floods are complex phenomena, and while linking climate change to a single flooding event requires extensive scientific analysis, scientists say climate change is causing heavier rains and more storms. A warmer atmosphere holds and releases more water.
The Mediterranean region is getting warmer, which is making these rains more violent and frequent. In August, the sea reached its highest recorded temperature.
Source: The New York Times