Recently, the southeastern region of Spain has been hit by the most powerful storm in decades, with rivers bursting their banks, transportation being disrupted, and many towns engulfed in floodwaters. At least 158 people have been confirmed dead, and the death toll may rise as search and rescue operations continue.
According to media reports, an unusually strong Mediterranean storm brought heavy rain and muddy waters to the southeastern region of Spain starting on Tuesday, October 29. The floods have left a trail of destruction, with the Valencia autonomous community in eastern Spain experiencing the most severe impact. This is the worst flood disaster Spain has faced since 1973.
Data from the Spanish National Meteorological Agency shows that some areas of Valencia received over 400 millimeters of rain within an 8-hour period on Tuesday, almost equivalent to the region’s annual rainfall. Videos on social media depict residents in the disaster areas climbing onto rooftops or up trees to escape being swept away by floodwaters, with multiple bridges collapsing and car wrecks scattered around.
Spanish Minister of Territorial Policy, Angel Victor Torres, announced in a press conference earlier that the death toll has reached 158, with several dozen people still missing.
The Spanish government has mobilized over two thousand personnel from the military, police, and emergency services for disaster relief efforts, deploying over three hundred rescue vehicles and utilizing air support. However, due to flooded roads and disruptions in communication and power supply, rescue operations are facing challenges.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has declared a three-day official mourning period for the victims and visited the affected areas on Thursday, October 31.
Local meteorological authorities have issued warnings that as the storm moves northeastward, adverse weather conditions are expected to continue in some areas in the coming days.