Recent storms in Spain have once again wreaked havoc, leading to school closures and train cancellations. This comes just two weeks after flash floods in Valencia and other regions claimed the lives of over 220 individuals and caused extensive damage to thousands of homes.
Coastal areas of Valencia were placed on high alert as forecasters predicted heavy rainfall of up to 180 millimeters (7 inches) within a span of five hours. The aftermath of the previous storm in Valencia is still being addressed, with ongoing cleanup efforts in the hardest-hit areas where streets remain covered in mud and debris.
In southern Malaga province, streets were inundated with floodwaters, prompting the evacuation of 3,000 residents near the Guadalhorce river as a precautionary measure. Schools and many businesses in the province were closed, and train services between Malaga and Madrid, as well as Barcelona and Valencia, were suspended.
Valencia's regional government imposed restrictions on private vehicle usage in areas affected by the October storm, which resulted in severe car pile-ups due to tsunami-like floods. Fortunately, there have been no reported fatalities from the latest storms.
The Spanish weather agency, AEMET, issued a red alert for Malaga, warning of intense rainfall accumulation, with up to 70 millimeters (approximately 3 inches) recorded in just one hour. Parts of Tarragona province in the east also faced heavy rainfall and remained under a red alert.
The inclement weather in Malaga even impacted the start of the Billie Jean King Cup tennis finals between Spain and Poland, which was scheduled for Wednesday.
Experts attribute the storm system affecting Spain to the collision of warm and stagnant cold air masses, resulting in the formation of powerful rain clouds. They also highlight the increasing frequency of drought and flood cycles as a consequence of climate change.
