A powerful cold front has brought relentless downpours to southeastern Spain, triggering severe flooding across several regions. The floods, which have already claimed the lives of more than 50 people, are inundating entire cities, leading authorities to advise residents to stay indoors and avoid non-essential travel.
Carlos Mason, head of the Valencia region, confirmed the tragic loss of life but refrained from disclosing further details out of respect for the families affected. “Bodies have been recovered, but we won’t provide additional information in respect of the families,” he said.
The Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has declared a red alert for Valencia and other affected areas, where rainfall totals have surpassed 200 mm. Some parts of Spain have received more than a month’s worth of rain in a single day, forcing the closure of schools and suspension of non-essential services in the hardest-hit areas.
In response to the extreme conditions, flights to and from Valencia were diverted to alternative cities overnight, and all train services in the region were suspended. In Andalusia, a high-speed train carrying nearly 300 passengers derailed due to the storm’s impact, further underscoring the severity of the flooding. Authorities expect the rains to continue through at least Thursday, prolonging disruption and recovery efforts.
Scientists have linked the increasing frequency of extreme weather events to climate change, noting that the warming of the Mediterranean Sea plays a significant role by increasing water evaporation and intensifying rainfall. Maritime experts and climate scientists are warning that the Mediterranean is becoming increasingly perilous for navigation as severe weather events grow more common.
