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The eastern region of Spain, particularly Valencia and surrounding areas, has been devastated by severe flooding caused by heavy rainfall, resulting in a tragic death toll of at least 95 people. The flooding, triggered by an unprecedented amount of rainfall exceeding 400 liters per square meter, occurred rapidly between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. The rapid influx of water overwhelmed infrastructure, causing widespread damage and disrupting daily life.
The devastation has prompted a swift response from Spanish authorities. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has announced his plan to visit the affected regions on Thursday, demonstrating the government's commitment to supporting families impacted by the floods. The government has also deployed around 1,000 members of the Military Emergency Response Unit (UME) to assist with rescue and cleanup efforts. However, their work is hindered by power outages and damaged phone networks in many areas, further complicating rescue efforts.
Meteorologists have attributed the heavy rain to a weather phenomenon known as “isolated high-altitude depression” or DANA in Spanish. This phenomenon occurs when a cold air front moves over the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea, leading to intense rainfall. While DANA can have localized impacts, this recent event echoes similar devastating floods that occurred in Valencia in 1966 and 1957, when the River Turia overflowed, highlighting the long-standing vulnerability of the region to extreme weather events. The scale of the current devastation emphasizes the need for comprehensive infrastructure improvements and disaster preparedness measures to mitigate the impact of future extreme weather events.
Source: Spain floods: Death toll reaches 95 as heavy rain strikes Valencia, surrounding areas | PHOTOS