Deadly Flash Floods Devastate Eastern and Southern Spain, Leaving Casualties and Disrupting Transportation

 

Torrential rain and flash floods have caused widespread devastation in southern and eastern Spain, with emergency teams recovering multiple bodies and searching for missing people. The severe weather, which has halted travel and triggered red alerts, led to deadly floods that swept through several towns, including Letur in the Albacete province. Footage aired on Spanish television showed streets submerged in muddy waters, with vehicles pushed through the town by the force of the floods.

Carlos Mazon, the head of the Valencia region, confirmed Wednesday that several bodies had been found in flooded areas, though he refrained from sharing specific details out of respect for families. Emergency crews, supported by drones, continue searching for six people reported missing in flood-impacted areas, according to a representative from Spain's central government in Castilla-La Mancha.

The town of L’Alcúdia in Valencia is also grappling with the disappearance of a truck driver who has been unaccounted for since early Tuesday afternoon. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed concern, encouraging citizens to heed safety guidance from authorities and avoid unnecessary travel during the crisis.

Extreme weather conditions have grounded and diverted flights. Twelve incoming flights originally scheduled for Valencia airport were rerouted to other Spanish cities, with an additional 10 canceled due to intense rain and high winds, according to Spanish airport operator Aena. Rail travel was similarly disrupted, with high-speed train services between Madrid and Valencia suspended as storm conditions affected critical parts of the Valencia rail network.

In Andalusia, a high-speed train carrying 276 passengers derailed amid storm conditions, although fortunately, no injuries were reported. Emergency services also conducted helicopter rescues for residents trapped by flooding in Álora, a town where an overflowing river left many stranded.

The Spanish meteorological agency AEMET issued a red alert for Valencia and a high alert for parts of Andalusia. Numerous road closures remain in place across both regions due to flooding risks. The intense downpour is attributed to a “gota fría” or "cold drop" phenomenon, where cold air over the warm Mediterranean waters destabilizes the atmosphere, producing sudden, heavy rains and thunderstorms across eastern Spain.

Scientists note that climate change is intensifying extreme weather patterns like these, with Spain experiencing an increase in both heatwaves and storms.