November 4th 2024.
Last week, eastern Spain was hit by severe storms that resulted in massive flooding and the loss of 217 lives. The majority of fatalities occurred near Valencia. On Monday, the storm made its way to Barcelona, causing the authorities to take action and suspend commuter rail services.
Transport Minister Óscar Puente announced the suspension of all commuter trains in northeast Catalonia, a region with a population of 8 million people. This decision was made at the request of civil protection officials. As the storm approached Barcelona, mobile phones across the city received an alert warning of "extreme and continued rainfall" on the southern outskirts. The alert also advised people to avoid dry gorges and canals.
The heavy rains not only affected the transportation system, but also caused disruptions in air travel. Puente stated that 15 flights had to be redirected due to the storm. In addition, several highways were closed due to flooding. The situation was especially dire in Tarragona, a city located between Barcelona and Valencia, where classes had to be cancelled after a red alert was issued.
Meanwhile, in Valencia, the search for victims continued in the aftermath of the floods. The city was left with thousands of wrecked cars and houses, as well as debris scattered throughout the streets and highways. Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated that it was still impossible to accurately estimate the number of missing individuals. However, Spanish national television RTVE shared heartbreaking pleas for help from people searching for their loved ones.
In the municipality of Aldaia, a team of 50 soldiers, police officers, and firefighters searched for victims in a shopping center's underground parking lot. Equipped with wetsuits and a small boat, they combed through the flooded area using spotlights. So far, no bodies have been found among the 50 vehicles that were discovered. In the nearby Bonaire shopping mall, efforts were being made to clear out the 1,800 underground parking spaces that were filled with water and mud during the storm.
Despite the ongoing clean-up efforts, many people feel abandoned by the authorities. This anger was evident on Sunday when a crowd threw mud at Spain's royal couple, the prime minister, and regional leaders during their visit to Paiporta, where over 60 people had lost their lives and survivors were left without homes or access to clean drinking water.
Autumn storms and flooding are not uncommon in Spain, but this particular storm system has caused the deadliest flooding in recent memory. Climate scientists and meteorologists attribute this extreme weather to a cut-off lower-pressure storm that was fueled by record-high temperatures in the Mediterranean Sea. The Spanish navy's "Galicia" transport vessel arrived in Valencia to provide assistance, along with 7,500 soldiers and thousands of police reinforcements.
As the country continues to recover from this devastating storm, it is evident that the effects will be felt for a long time to come. The Spanish people mourn the loss of lives and homes, and call for more action to be taken to prevent such disasters from occurring in the future.
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