Devastating floods have left at least 95 people dead and several others missing in Spain, wreaking havoc in the regions of Valencia and Castilla-La Mancha, authorities said on Wednesday.
With torrential rains predicted to hit Barcelona next, the situation remained critical on Wednesday as communities in the affected regions struggled to cope with extensive damage, public television broadcaster RTVE reported.
At least 95 victims have been confirmed in Valencia, the hardest-hit area, and an unspecified number of people have been reported missing, reported Levante-EMV. EFE reported the floods as among the worst in Spain in 75 years.
In terms of damage, residents in Valencia are trapped and currently suffering long power cuts, while videos on social media show cars being swept and people clinging to trees for safety.
Road transport ground to a halt due to the closure of multiple railway lines, prompting the diversion of train services and the cancellation of several flights at Valencia airport.
Local authorities have also suspended classes in several municipalities, including parts of the Valencian capital.
In Castilla-La Mancha, authorities have recovered two bodies and are searching for at least five missing persons, La Tribuna de Toledo reported.
In response to the floods, the Spanish Ministry of Transport announced the suspension of commuter train services in Valencia until weather conditions improve. The suspension affects both the Madrid-Valencia line and the Mediterranean corridor. High-speed train services (AVE) have also been severely affected, RTVE reported.
In what the National Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has described as the worst cold snap of the century, rising rivers and relentless flooding have left many towns in ruins, particularly in Valencia, Castilla-La Mancha and Andalusia.
On Tuesday, Valencia recorded an astonishing 445.4 litres of rainfall per square metre, the highest in 24 hours since 11 September 1966, when 520 litres fell in Tavernes de la Val.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez (PSOE/S&D) lamented the human toll of the floods.
“All of Spain weeps with all of you. Our absolute priority is to help you… We won’t abandon you”, Sanchez said in a televised address to those affected.
EU solidarity with Spain
“Europe is ready to help,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Von der Leyen added that the EU has activated the Copernicus satellite system to help coordinate rescue teams during the devastating floods.
Meanwhile, the EU’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, stressed on Wednesday that the EU could help Spain alleviate the economic impact of the tragedy through the civil protection mechanism and the European Solidarity Fund for natural disasters.
“Europe can help through the European civil protection mechanism and the European solidarity fund for natural disasters, given the enormous amount of material damage and loss of human life”, Borrell commented.
The EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism aims to strengthen civil protection cooperation between the member states and ten other countries to better respond to disasters.
(Fernando Heller | EuroEFE.Euractiv.es)