Spain is grappling with one of its deadliest flooding disasters in recent history, with at least 95 people confirmed dead and many still missing after torrential rain swept through Valencia and surrounding areas. Rescue teams are operating in challenging conditions, with streets turned into raging rivers that have swept away bridges, buildings, and vehicles, trapping people who climbed to higher ground to survive.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has declared three days of national mourning, acknowledging the depth of the crisis and the need for solidarity. The intense rainfall, measured as equivalent to one year’s worth within just eight hours in Chiva near Valencia, unleashed powerful flash floods that left widespread devastation.
Video Credit: BBC
The Spanish military and emergency teams are working tirelessly, aided by more than 1,000 troops and support from the EU’s Copernicus satellite system. Yet, many areas remain inaccessible due to flooded roads and damaged power lines. Eyewitness accounts convey the chaos and danger, with survivors describing the water’s arrival as a “tsunami” that forced them to flee for their lives.
Climate experts attribute the flooding, at least in part, to climate change, which has intensified the “gota fria” weather pattern that typically affects Spain in autumn and winter. This natural event, when cold air mixes with warm Mediterranean waters, has led to heavier rainfall as rising global temperatures allow the atmosphere to hold more moisture.
The tragedy has raised questions about Spain’s disaster preparedness. The national civil protection agency did not issue an alert until several hours after floods had already hit some areas, sparking public criticism. The regional government also faces scrutiny for dissolving the Valencia Emergency Unit, a disaster response team intended to tackle crises like this.
As floodwaters begin to recede, Spain remains on alert, with weather warnings issued in Catalonia and other regions as rains continue to move northeast. With this disaster, Spain joins other countries in confronting the pressing reality of climate change’s impact on extreme weather, a challenge that underscores the urgent need for global emissions reduction.
source: BBC
