At least 95 people have been killed in flash floods sweeping the eastern Spanish region of Valencia following torrential rains on Tuesday that left roads and towns under water, local authorities said on Wednesday.
Torrential rains caused by a cold front moving across southeastern Spain flooded roads and towns on Tuesday, prompting authorities in the worst-hit areas to advise citizens to stay at home and avoid all non-essential travel.
Spain's state weather agency AEMET declared a red alert in the eastern Valencia region, with some areas such as Turis and Utiel recording 200 mm (7.9 inches) of rainfall.
Dozens of videos shared on social media appeared to show people trapped in floodwaters, several of them hanging on to trees to avoid being swept away.Devastating flooding in Valencia, Spain has turned deadly as torrential rains overwhelmed the region. Around 50 cm of rain fell in just 8 hours, leading to water rescues and road closures. Authorities urge residents to seek higher ground. Stay safe, Valencia! 🌧️🚨 #ValenciaFloods… pic.twitter.com/niy3HOi9Qp
— NPB #ClimateActionNow #COP29 (@CO2__29) October 30, 2024
Massive floods in Massanassa of #Valencia, #Spain.
— Trending News (@Trend_War_Newss) October 29, 2024
The streets turned into rivers.. pic.twitter.com/1wjjCDzKFx
Reuters could not immediately verify the videos' authenticity.
Radio and TV stations were receiving hundreds of calls for help from citizens trapped in flooded areas or searching for loved ones, as emergency services were unable to reach all affected locations.
"If (emergency services) have not arrived, it's not due to a lack of means or predisposition, but a problem of access," Mazon said, adding that reaching certain areas was "absolutely impossible".
Footage showed firefighters rescuing trapped drivers amid heavy rain in the Valencian town of Alzira and flooded streets with stuck cars.
Scientists say extreme weather events are becoming more frequent due to climate change. Meteorologists believe the warming of the Mediterranean, which increases water evaporation, plays a key role in making torrential rains more severe.
Schools and other essential services were suspended in the worst-hit areas.Scary fast-flowing flash floods through streets of Albacete, Spain today, these aren't rare incidents anymore, this is one of several Spanish communities quite far apart seeing streets turn into raging rivers yesterday, today & likely tomorrow too #flood pic.twitter.com/BXZuPwaoDB
— Nick's Weather Eye (@NickJF75) October 29, 2024
Local emergency services requested the help of UME, a military unit specialised in rescue operations, in the area of Utiel-Requena, where farmers' association ASAJA said the storm was causing significant damage to crops.
