A total of 158 people have died or are missing in Spain following devastating floods caused by intense rainfall. The floods turned village streets into rivers, destroyed homes, and swept away bridges, railway lines, and cars. An unknown number of people are still missing, while thousands are without electricity or phone service. Most of the victims were in the Valencia region, where nearly a year’s worth of rain fell in just eight hours.
The floods damaged vehicles and inundated areas like Utiel in Valencia. Fatalities were also reported in Castilla-La Mancha and Malaga in Andalusia. In the worst-hit areas, over 400 liters of rain per square meter fell, linked to the phenomenon known as “gota fría” or “cold drop,” which occurs when cold air passes over the warm Mediterranean, causing atmospheric instability and torrential rains.
This year, an unusual weather phenomenon, known as DANA (isolated upper-level depression), caused severe rainfall. DANA is a low-pressure system that remains stationary or moves slowly, trapped by high pressure, continuously raining on the same area for extended periods. While such phenomena aren’t rare, this event was exceptionally intense.
DANA continued to bring heavy rains and storms today, shifting slightly northward and eastward towards the border with France, west of Barcelona. Rain and storms are expected to continue for a few more days, with Tarragona and Castellón under orange warnings, and yellow warnings issued for other eastern and western areas of Spain.
The floods were accompanied by hail and tornadoes. Scientists warn that warming of the Mediterranean due to climate change increases the likelihood of such extreme weather events. Spain has declared three days of mourning, while rescuers work to locate those trapped in the affected areas. Questions have arisen regarding the delayed warning sent to citizens to stay indoors, which was issued after the flooding had already begun.
A Minute of Silence Before All Football Matches in Spain
A minute of silence will be observed before all football matches in Spain this weekend. The Valencia vs. Real Madrid match, scheduled for Saturday evening, has already been postponed. The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) also confirmed that all football matches in the Valencia region, including women’s, youth, and indoor matches, have been canceled this weekend.
“Beyond the cancellations, Spanish football wanted to show solidarity with those affected, especially with the families of those who lost their lives in this natural disaster,” the RFEF added.
Also read: Endless tragedy in Spain – death toll rises to 217 from floods
