Residents navigate through a street inundated with debris and mud after floods in Picanya, near Valencia, eastern Spain, on October 30, 2024. Photo: AFP
At least 51 individuals have perished in sudden floods ravaging the eastern Spanish region of Valencia following heavy rains on Tuesday, which submerged roads and towns, local authorities reported on Wednesday. Numerous videos circulating on social media overnight depicted people trapped by the floodwaters, with some resorting to climbing trees to escape being swept away. Carlos Mazon, the regional leader of Valencia, informed a press conference that some people were still isolated in unreachable locations. "If (emergency services) have not arrived, it's not due to a lack of resources or willingness, but an issue of access," Mazon stated, adding that reaching certain areas was "absolutely impossible." Emergency services in the region advised citizens to refrain from any road travel and to stay updated with official sources for further information. Trains to the cities of Madrid and Barcelona were canceled due to the flooding, and schools and other vital services were suspended in the most affected areas. Footage shared on social media showed firefighters rescuing trapped drivers amidst heavy rain in the town of Alzira, and cars marooned in flooded streets. The UME military unit, specialized in rescue operations, was deployed in some areas to assist local emergency workers. Spain's state weather agency AEMET issued a red alert in Valencia, a significant citrus-growing region, with some areas like Turis and Utiel recording 200 mm (7.9 inches) of rainfall. The death toll seems to be the highest in Europe from flooding since 2021 when nearly 200 people died, predominantly in Germany. Scientists suggest that extreme weather events in the region are occurring more frequently due to climate change. Meteorologists believe the warming of the Mediterranean, which enhances water evaporation, plays a crucial role in intensifying torrential rains.
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