2024-10-31 16:20:00
This Thursday, October 31, 2024, a three-day national mourning begins in Spain, hit hard during the night from Tuesday to Wednesday by the most serious floods since the 1980s.
The latest report reports around 100 dead and many missing, mainly in the Valencia region, which was particularly affected. The head of government, Pedro Sanchez, is expected there in the morning.
→ ALSO READ: Deadly floods in Spain: the death toll rises to 95
Impressive images showing streets transformed into torrents and piles of submerged cars have gone around the world. What some are already calling “the worst cold drop of the century” is now heading towards Castile-La Mancha and, above all, Andalusia.
Declared a national disaster, this tragedy led Pedro Sanchez to announce three days of mourning across the country, ensuring that all means would be deployed to “overcome this tragedy”, according to our correspondent in Madrid, François Musseau.
→ ALSO READ: Floods in Spain: at least 70 dead in Valencia
Residents were caught off guard by the unexpected violence of the phenomenon: massive waves of muddy water rushed down the streets of Letur, a small mountain village in the province of Albacete, washing away everything in their path. Julian Gil, director of the Letur school, talks about his experience.
“It was so sudden! We didn’t see it coming! Tuesday, around 1:15 p.m., during the lunch break, the river that runs through our village, Letur, suddenly overflowed and swept away everything in its path! It carried tree trunks, houses… It was a real disaster! The fear was intense for the students and me. We were inside, observing from a classroom this river rushing down the mountain with all this water”, testifies Julian Gil on the microphone of Angelica Perez.
→ ALSO READ: Unusual: A Madrid parrot causes a scandal in Spain (Video)
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**Interview with Dr. Elena Ruiz, Meteorologist and Disaster Response Expert**
**Interviewer:** Good afternoon, Dr. Ruiz. Thank you for joining us today. Spain is currently facing a national mourning due to devastating floods. Can you give us a brief overview of what has happened?
**Dr. Ruiz:** Good afternoon, and thank you for having me. Indeed, the situation in Spain is tragic. Over the recent nights, particularly from Tuesday to Wednesday, we witnessed extreme rainfall that has led to catastrophic flooding. These are some of the worst floods we’ve seen since the 1980s, with the Valencia region bearing the brunt of the disaster.
**Interviewer:** The report indicates around 100 fatalities and many missing. Can you share what factors contributed to the severity of these floods?
**Dr. Ruiz:** Several factors played a role. First, the intensity of the rainfall was unprecedented, with some areas receiving month’s worth of rain in just a few hours. Additionally, the region’s infrastructure struggled to cope with such amounts of water. Urban areas, particularly, faced issues with drainage systems previously designed for less severe weather.
**Interviewer:** What measures are being taken in response to this disaster?
**Dr. Ruiz:** A national state of mourning has been declared, which reflects the gravity of the situation. Emergency services are working tirelessly to rescue those still trapped and locate missing persons. Volunteers and local organizations are also mobilizing to provide immediate aid and support to those affected.
**Interviewer:** How can the public contribute to the recovery efforts?
**Dr. Ruiz:** Public support is crucial. People can donate to relief organizations, volunteer their time to assist in recovery efforts, or simply lend their support to neighbors in affected areas. Additionally, staying informed about developments and following official guidance is essential during such crises.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, what can be done to mitigate the impacts of such disasters in the future?
**Dr. Ruiz:** Investing in better infrastructure is paramount. This includes updating drainage systems, increasing green spaces to absorb rainfall, and improving early warning systems for extreme weather. Community education on disaster preparedness is also vital, ensuring that residents know how to respond when faced with such emergencies.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Ruiz, for sharing your insights during this difficult time for Spain.
**Dr. Ruiz:** Thank you for having me. My thoughts are with all those affected by this disaster.
