Heavy rains cause flooding throughout Spain

(MENAFN) Heavy rains brought by Storm Gabrielle on Monday led to extensive flooding in Spain’s regions of Valencia, Catalonia, and Aragon.

With rainfall reaching up to 100 liters per square meter (approximately 4 inches) in just a few hours, authorities had to rescue multiple individuals trapped in their vehicles, as stated by reports.

The town of Aldaia in Valencia suffered significant impact when the La Saleta ravine overflowed, sending torrents of water into the central streets. Fortunately, anti-flood barriers managed to contain the worst of the damage.

In Zaragoza province, another river in Cuarte de Huerva spilled over late Sunday. “It’s a bit calmer now, but the beginning was chaotic. We are trying to evaluate the damage,” Mayor Elena Lacalle told public broadcasters, according to reports.

Spain’s meteorological agency issued a red alert along Valencia’s coast until midnight and for southern Tarragona and northern Castellon until midday. Schools and nonessential activities were suspended in over 60 municipalities in the Mediterranean region, affecting roughly 25,000 children and their families.

Transportation networks were also disrupted, with train services experiencing delays, Metrovalencia operating on a reduced schedule, and several highways submerged in water. Officials advised residents to limit travel whenever possible.

Experts note that Spain has been experiencing increasingly extreme weather events in recent years, a trend attributed to climate change. Last October, heavy rainfall in the same area led to one of the deadliest and costliest natural disasters in the country’s history, claiming approximately 232 lives.

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