Recent storms in eastern Spain have caused widespread devastation, with at least 217 people losing their lives, primarily in the vicinity of Valencia. The impact of the storms has now reached Barcelona, where heavy rainfall has led to the suspension of commuter rail services. The Spanish Transport Minister has taken the decision to halt all commuter trains in northeast Catalonia, affecting a population of 8 million people, following a request from civil protection officials.
An alert for 'extreme and continued rainfall' was issued in Barcelona, urging residents to avoid dry gorges and canals. The adverse weather conditions have also affected air travel, forcing air traffic controllers to redirect 15 flights at Barcelona's airport. Additionally, several highways have been closed due to flooding, causing further disruption to transportation.
In response to the severe weather, classes were canceled in Tarragona, located between Barcelona and Valencia, after a red alert for heavy rains was issued. Meanwhile, in Valencia, the search for missing individuals continues, with efforts focused on locating bodies in homes and vehicles that were swept away by the floods.
The Spanish Interior Minister has acknowledged the challenges in providing an accurate count of the missing persons. Desperate appeals for assistance have been broadcast on national television, highlighting the emotional toll of the disaster on affected families.
In one municipality, a team comprising soldiers, police, and firefighters conducted a search operation in a flooded shopping center's underground parking lot. Despite finding submerged vehicles, no bodies have been recovered thus far.
The aftermath of the storms has left many feeling abandoned by authorities, leading to public outrage during a visit by government officials to a severely affected area. The clean-up efforts involve a massive undertaking to remove mud and debris from the impacted regions.
Climate scientists and meteorologists attribute the unprecedented flooding to a cut-off lower-pressure storm system that lingered over the region, exacerbated by record-high temperatures in the Mediterranean Sea. The Spanish navy has dispatched resources to assist with relief efforts, including food, water, and personnel to aid in the recovery process.
