Spain experienced new storms that caused school closures and train cancellations, just two weeks after devastating flash floods in Valencia and other parts of the country resulted in the deaths of more than 220 people and the destruction of thousands of homes. Coastal areas of Valencia were under the highest alert, with forecasters predicting up to 7 inches of rain within five hours. Cleanup efforts were still ongoing in the hardest-hit areas of Valencia, raising concerns about further damage from the rain to streets covered in mud and debris.
In southern Malaga province, streets were flooded, prompting the evacuation of 3,000 people near the Guadalhorce river as a precautionary measure. Schools and many stores across the province were closed, and train service between Malaga and Madrid, as well as between Barcelona and Valencia, was canceled. Valencia’s regional government restricted the use of private vehicles in areas affected by the previous storm, which had caused severe car pile-ups resembling tsunamis. Despite the impact of the new storms, there were no reports of any deaths.
Spanish weather forecaster AEMET issued a red alert for Malaga, indicating that around 3 inches of rain had fallen in just one hour. Parts of Tarragona province in the east were also facing heavy rain and remained under a red alert. The storm system affecting Spain is the result of warm air colliding with stagnant cold air, leading to the formation of powerful rain clouds. Experts warn that drought and flood cycles are becoming more frequent with climate change, contributing to the increased severity of storms seen in Spain.
The forecasted heavy rain in Malaga resulted in the delay of the Billie Jean King Cup tennis finals between Spain and Poland, which were scheduled for Wednesday. Schools were closed, stores were shut, and train services were disrupted in various areas, highlighting the widespread impact of the storms on daily life in affected regions. The disruptions caused by the storms underline the vulnerability of Spain’s infrastructure and population to extreme weather events, emphasizing the need for increased preparedness and resilience measures.
Overall, the impact of the storms in Spain underscores the growing threats posed by climate change, with experts warning that extreme weather events such as floods and droughts are becoming more severe and frequent. The devastation caused by the recent storms in Valencia and other parts of the country, resulting in loss of life and widespread property damage, serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action to mitigate the impacts of global warming. The ongoing cleanup efforts in the aftermath of the earlier flash floods in Valencia highlight the challenges faced by communities in recovering from such disasters, as they now brace for further rainfall and potential flooding in the wake of the new storms.
