Spain battered by new storm onslaught just weeks after deadly floods
New storms hit Spain on Wednesday, causing chaos in Valencia and other parts of the country. Just two weeks after flash floods devastated the region, more rain led to school closures and train cancellations, further disrupting recovery efforts.
Coastal areas of Valencia were placed on high alert as forecasters predicted up to 7 inches of rain within a five-hour period. Cleanup operations in the hardest-hit areas were still ongoing, raising concerns about the impact of additional rainfall on streets covered in mud and debris.
In southern Malaga province, streets were flooded, prompting the evacuation of 3,000 residents near the Guadalhorce river as a precautionary measure. Schools and stores were closed, while train services between Malaga and Madrid, as well as Barcelona and Valencia, were canceled.
Valencia’s regional government imposed restrictions on private vehicle use in areas affected by the previous storm, which had caused devastating floods and car pile-ups resembling tsunamis. Despite the severity of the new storms, no fatalities were reported.
The Spanish meteorological agency, AEMET, issued a red alert for Malaga, citing heavy rainfall accumulation of around 3 inches per hour. Tarragona province in the east also faced intense rain and remained under a red alert.
The inclement weather forced a delay in the start of the Billie Jean King Cup tennis finals between Spain and Poland, originally scheduled for Wednesday.
The storm system affecting Spain is attributed to the collision of warm and cold air masses, resulting in powerful rain clouds. Experts warn that climate change is contributing to more frequent drought and flood cycles, highlighting the need for sustainable solutions to mitigate the impact of extreme weather events.
