Tragic floods in Spain: over 60 fatalities in Valencia

At the beginning of this week, a meteorological phenomenon known as DANA swept over eastern Spain, bringing exceptionally heavy rainfall and hailstorms. Flash floods in Valencia submerged significant portions of roads and cities in the region, causing chaos and posing a severe threat to life. Public services are still searching for the missing. Extreme weather is also impacting other Spanish regions — and this is not the end.

Record rainfall

According to forecasts from the Spanish National Meteorological Agency, Aemet, on Tuesday, October 29, the Balearic Islands, Valencia, and Catalonia fell under the influence of an isolated depression over the Bay of Cadiz, known as DANA (from the Spanish Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos) or Gota Fria (cold drop). This phenomenon, associated with a cold polar air mass, regularly occurs in the western Mediterranean Basin in autumn, bringing severe storms and exceptionally heavy rainfall. However, such a strong manifestation has not been observed for years.

The forecasts predicted rainfall of around 150-180 mm per square meter, yet the Spanish newspaper El Pais reported that in some locations, the total rainfall exceeded 445 mm. In the Utiel-Requena district, 300 mm per square meter was measured, and the local Magro River overflowed its banks. Flash floods struck Valencia after over 90 mm fell in the southern part of the region within an hour. Aemet declared the highest, red alert. Additionally, a local tornado swept through Benifaio.

Flash floods in Valencia claim lives

According to the latest data from CNN Spain, at least 60 people have died due to the floods in Valencia. This tragic toll is likely not the end, as the water continues to bring more bodies, and the Spanish National Guard is gathering information on additional missing persons. The Spanish Ministry of Defense has already organized mobile morgues and search dogs, while other regions are providing technical support.

Flash floods in Valencia have completely paralyzed regional transport. Rail connections with Madrid have been suspended, and the airport and port in Valencia are closed. Streets and bridges are submerged, and rescue services can only operate using helicopters. Schools, sports and cultural centers, and many health facilities are closed, and local transport is also out of operation.

The alarm sirens that sounded in Valencia on Tuesday evening trapped thousands of people in shopping centers or on their way home. According to El Pais, people pleaded for help on social media, as it was impossible to reach the overloaded emergency number 112. On the Sedavi Bridge on the highway, around 500 people sought rescue from flooding, abandoning their cars. The situation in the region remains dire, with many people trying to reach their homes independently or waiting for rescue on rooftops.

Difficult situation in other regions of Spain

Heavy rainfall also occurred in the provinces of Teruel in Aragon, and in the regions of Castilla-La Mancha and Andalusia. In Albacete province, six people are missing, and the town of Letur has been devastated.

Due to the catastrophe, the Spanish parliament canceled the session scheduled for Wednesday morning, and the government issued an appeal to employers in flood-affected regions, asking them not to require staff attendance at work.

On Wednesday, heavy rains are still expected in the regions of Valencia, Aragon, and Catalonia, and Aemet has issued a yellow warning for most of the area. The heaviest rainfall is anticipated in Andalusia, especially around the cities of Cadiz and Seville, where up to 80 mm per square meter could fall locally within 12 hours — here, an orange weather alert is in place.