AT LEAST 158 people have died in Spain’s worst flood disaster, as rescue teams struggle to find survivors.
On Thursday, more than 1,200 workers, aided by drones, were deployed on rescue missions as rain continued to threaten parts of the country.
“Right now, the most important thing is to save as many lives as possible,” Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez told the victims during a visit to the affected communities.
However, in some of the towns worst hit by flooding on Tuesday night, residents had to take over the task of evacuating bodies from the mud and rubble.
At least 155 deaths were recorded in Valencia, two more in Castilla-La Mancha in the west of the province, and another, a British man, in Andalusia.
In the Valencian town of Paiporta, where a river overflowed, at least 40 people were reported killed so far.
“We all know someone who has died,” said pharmacist Miguel Guerrilla, standing outside his drugstore covered in thick mud. “It’s like a nightmare.”
On Thursday, the BBC saw morticians and funeral vans removing bodies from the road, while on nearby roads, cars swept away by storm surges were piled one on top of the other.
Trapped drivers told of horror as Tuesday’s flood tide turned highways and roads into rivers — many surviving by climbing trees or bridges to escape.
Officials have not disclosed the number of people still missing, but said there were “many,” as the death toll rose by about 60 more on Thursday.
More than 90 deaths were recorded on Wednesday following heavy rain and flash flooding, which mainly hit Valencia, as well as Castilla-La Mancha in Andalusia, and as far south as Malaga.
The town of Chiva near Valencia received a year’s worth of rainfall in just eight hours, according to Spanish meteorological agency Aemet.
Further rain warnings were issued for the south and east of the country on Thursday, King Felipe VI warned that the emergency was “not over” and PM Sánchez called on citizens to take shelter if necessary.
Meanwhile, in flood-affected areas, hundreds of people took refuge in temporary shelters and began the slow and arduous process of clearing roads and restoring homes and businesses.
Many roads and train links connecting Valencia with other parts of Spain remain cut off.
Spain began a three-day period of national mourning on Thursday with flags flying at half-mast on government buildings and several minutes of silence.
Public anger is growing over how a developed European country apparently failed to warn many communities about the dangers of flooding in time.
Questions arise whether the disaster management service issued the warning too late.
The civil protection agency, which was deployed during the national disaster, did not issue a warning until 20.15 local time on Tuesday evening, by which time several places in Valencia had already been flooded for hours.
Authorities called the heavy rain and flooding “unprecedented.”
Many factors contribute to flooding, but a warming atmosphere due to climate change makes extreme rainfall more likely.
Weather researchers identified the main cause of the heavy rain as “gota fria” — a natural weather phenomenon that occurs in Spain in autumn and winter when cold air descends into the warm waters over the Mediterranean.
However, rising global temperatures are causing clouds to bring more rain, scientists told the BBC.
The world has warmed by about 1.1°C since the industrial era began and temperatures will continue to rise unless governments around the world make sharp emissions cuts.
“There is no doubt that these heavy rains are being exacerbated by climate change,” said Dr. Friederike Otto of Imperial College London, who leads an international group of scientists trying to understand the role of warming in such events.
The death toll was the worst from flooding in Spain since 1973, when at least 150 people were estimated to have died in the southeastern provinces of Granada, Murcia and Almeria. (BBC/Z-3)
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**Interview with Dr. Elena Ruiz, Environmental Scientist and Flood Management Expert**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Dr. Ruiz. The recent flooding in Spain has been devastating, with at least 158 lives lost and many more displaced. What do you feel were the major contributing factors to this disaster?
**Dr. Ruiz:** Thank you for having me. The tragic events in Spain highlight several interconnected issues. Firstly, extreme rainfall, as seen during the floods, can be attributed to shifting climate patterns that result from climate change. Regions like Valencia received a year’s worth of rain in a single day, which is unprecedented and alarming.
**Editor:** Indeed, the intensity of rainfall sounds shocking. There’s been mention of poor planning as well. Can you elaborate on that?
**Dr. Ruiz:** Absolutely. Urban planning and infrastructure development often struggle to keep pace with such extreme weather events. In many cases, towns were developed without sufficient drainage systems to handle such downpours. Additionally, factors like deforestation and the cementing of natural waterways contribute to more severe flooding, as they disrupt the area’s natural ability to absorb or divert excess water.
**Editor:** It has been reported that residents in some affected areas had to navigate the aftermath themselves, which speaks volumes about the emergency response. How could this be improved in the future?
**Dr. Ruiz:** This situation underscores the need for comprehensive emergency preparedness plans. Authorities should establish clear evacuation routes and ensure sufficient resources are available for search and rescue efforts immediately after such disasters strike. Communities should also undergo regular drills to prepare for such incidents. Moreover, investing in early warning systems can save lives by providing advance alerts about extreme weather.
**Editor:** With climate change escalating, what steps can be taken at a governmental level to mitigate such disasters in the future?
**Dr. Ruiz:** Governments need to adopt more robust climate adaptation strategies, including enhancing urban resilience through improved infrastructure. This involves not only upgrading drainage systems but also implementing green infrastructure solutions, such as rain gardens and permeable pavements. Ultimately, investing in sustainable practices and disaster preparedness is crucial to minimizing future risks.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Ruiz. Your insights shed light on the urgent need for both immediate action and long-term strategies to combat the effects of climate change and protect communities.
**Dr. Ruiz:** Thank you for having me. Let’s hope that constructive dialogue leads to meaningful change.
