Heavy rainfall continues to cause significant disruptions in Spain on Thursday, as the country experiences its second powerful storm system in two weeks.
Heavy rainfall continues to create considerable disruptions in Spain on Thursday, as the nation endures its second major storm system within a fortnight.
On Wednesday, this storm system led to extensive flooding, particularly in the Malaga region.
The local hospital was inundated, necessitating the suspension of most of its operations. Over 4,000 individuals were evacuated from their residences, and law enforcement carried out 30 rescue operations.
Despite the material damage and interruptions, which included canceled flights, bus services, rail operations, and school closures, there were no reported fatalities.
“Following the events in Valencia, the public has recognized the importance of responding to warnings with diligence and cooperation,” stated Malaga Mayor Francisco de la Torre in an interview with RTVE.
On October 29, devastating flooding struck the province of Valencia and surrounding areas, resulting in at least 224 fatalities, according to the most recent reports.
These floods are now regarded as the most severe natural disaster in Spain’s recent history, prompting the central government to announce approximately $14 billion in aid for reconstruction efforts.
The region of Valencia that suffered the most from the October floods was also preparing for additional heavy rainfall overnight on Wednesday. Fortunately, the epicenter of the flooding managed to evade torrential rains that could have caused further devastation, particularly due to sewage systems overwhelmed with significant amounts of mud.
Nevertheless, certain areas of Valencia did experience flooding, with heavy rainfall reaching up to 90 liters per square meter within a mere two hours.
On Thursday, educational institutions remained closed in parts of Valencia, as well as in the provinces of Granada, Huelva, Cadiz, and Seville, as the storm system moved towards western Andalusia.
By Thursday morning, the red alert for Valencia and Malaga was lifted.
While the Mediterranean region is accustomed to flooding and severe storm systems, experts indicate that such occurrences are likely to become more frequent and intense due to climate change.
During discussions at COP29 this week, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez attributed the fatalities to climate change.
