Dozens killed as Spanish region hit by year’s worth of rain in eight hours
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At least 62 people have died following devastating flash floods in southeastern Spain, where torrential rain fell at an alarming rate, exceeding a year’s worth of precipitation in just eight hours. The town of Chiva, near Valencia, was particularly hard-hit, prompting local officials to express their difficulty in determining the full extent of casualties.
Eyewitness accounts and social media footage depict scenes of chaos, as floodwaters surged through streets, swept away vehicles, and even demolished bridges. Distressing images show individuals clinging to trees in a desperate attempt to stay afloat, highlighting the severe nature of the flooding.
The relentless rain and hailstorms have impacted much of the country, leading to rapid flooding in numerous regions. In response, more than 1,000 troops have been deployed to assist with rescue operations, as many individuals remain unaccounted for. Reports indicate that hundreds of motorists are stranded on highways due to the overwhelming conditions.
Spain’s King Felipe VI expressed his sorrow over the disaster, sharing his “heartfelt condolences” to the families affected in a post on social media platform X. Emergency services have been inundated with calls from those trapped in flooded areas or seeking news about missing loved ones, complicating rescue efforts in hard-to-reach locations.
In Valencia, one survivor recounted the harrowing experience of drivers forming a human chain to escape an advancing torrent. “Thank goodness no one slipped, because if anyone had fallen, the current would have dragged them away,” Patricia Rodriguez, 45, shared with El País newspaper.
Chiva was among the first to feel the full force of the flash floods, with local media reporting that by 6:00 PM (GMT+1) on Tuesday, the streets had transformed into rushing rivers, carrying away cars, street lamps, and benches in their wake. However, many residents criticized the civil protection authorities for failing to issue a warning until over two hours after the flooding began, leaving people unable to safely evacuate.
Authorities have established an emergency hotline for reporting missing persons and have advised the public to stay indoors for their safety. Pilar Bernabe, a government representative for the Valencia region, noted that “practically all the main roads have been cut off,” making it imperative for residents to remain indoors.
Carlos Mazon, the regional leader of Valencia, added that accessibility issues, rather than a lack of resources, were hindering rescue efforts in certain areas, declaring some locations “absolutely impossible” to reach.
The Spanish weather service AEMET reported that Chiva received a staggering 491mm of rain in just eight hours, a figure equivalent to an entire year’s rainfall. The agency has issued a red alert for the Valencia region and a second-highest alert level for parts of Andalusia.
The flooding has caused widespread disruptions to transportation, with numerous flights to Valencia redirected to other cities and many canceled altogether. Train services in the Valencia region have also been suspended, as confirmed by the national rail infrastructure operator, ADIF.
In light of the disaster, Valencia city hall announced the suspension of all schools and sporting events, and parks will remain closed. As climate change continues to influence weather patterns, experts note that rising temperatures increase the likelihood of extreme rainfall events, further complicating future flood management efforts.
The global temperature has already risen by approximately 1.1°C since the industrial era began, and without significant reductions in emissions, this trend is expected to continue. As communities in southeastern Spain grapple with the aftermath of this catastrophic flooding, the need for urgent climate action and improved disaster preparedness has never been clearer.
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