By Nakiwala Barbra
At least 51 people have been confirmed dead after powerful thunderstorms and an unexpected cloudburst unleashed severe flash floods across southeastern Spain.
The region, including parts of Valencia, faced a barrage of heavy rain and hailstorms, leaving widespread destruction in its wake. Valencia’s regional president, Carlos Mazón, expressed that it is “impossible” to determine the final death toll as search and rescue operations continue.
Footage circulating on social media shows streets inundated, bridges collapsing, and vehicles swept away by the relentless floodwaters. In the town of Chiva, Valencia, an unprecedented 491mm of rain was recorded in only eight hours a total typically seen across an entire year.
Emergency responders have been overwhelmed by distress calls from residents trapped or seeking missing loved ones. Drones have been deployed to assist in locating those stranded in hard-hit areas such as Letur, as reported by local official Milagros Tolon.
Throughout the night, dozens of people remained stranded on rooftops, inside vehicles, and on trucks, awaiting rescue. Spain’s meteorological agency, AEMET, has declared a red alert for the Valencia region and issued a high alert for Andalusia. Schools, parks, and many transportation services are currently suspended.
Valencia city hall has taken additional measures, closing public spaces to ensure safety, while Spain’s Prime Minister has urged citizens to avoid non-essential travel and to stay informed as the situation evolves.
