October 31, 2024
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At least 95 people killed in Spain’s floods
Torrential rains made worse by climate change hit Spain, with Valencia bearing the brunt of flooding.
On October 30, 2024, flash flooding occurred in the Sedavi area of Valencia, Spain, causing cars to pile up along with other debris on the road.
Climate Wire | At least 95 people have been killed and dozens are missing after flash floods hit southeastern Spain, authorities said Thursday morning.
The country has been hit by heavy rains this week. The worst-hit region was Valencia region, where floods and landslides washed away cars, roads and buildings.
Local authorities announced on Wednesday that “the process of rescuing and identifying the victims has begun.”
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Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed his condolences and expressed support in a speech Wednesday morning.
“On behalf of the Spanish government and the whole of Spanish society, I would like to express all our solidarity and love to the families of those who lost their lives in this tragedy in the Valencian Community and Castile-La Mancha, and to those who still remain.” I’m looking for my loved ones,” Sanchez said.
“We will support you with all the resources of our country and, if necessary, the European Union,” he added.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the floods showed the “reality” of climate change.
“In just a few months, floods have hit central and eastern Europe, Italy and now Spain. This is the dramatic reality of climate change, and we need to address it across our allies and across the country,” Prime Minister von der Leyen said on Wednesday. We have to be prepared to deal with it.” You have all the tools at your disposal. ”
Flooding caused widespread disruption of rail and air routes in the south and east of the country. A high-speed train carrying around 300 people derailed near Malaga on Tuesday, but railway authorities said there were no fatalities.
“We are facing an unprecedented situation,” Carlos Mazon, the head of Valencia’s regional government, told reporters on Wednesday.
The disaster in Spain comes after devastating floods in central Europe last month killed at least 24 people. Climate scientists warn that global warming is greatly increasing the likelihood of such flooding.
More research on specific storms will be needed to establish how much of an impact global warming has had on heavy rains, said Ernesto Rodríguez Camino, senior state meteorologist and member of the Spanish Meteorological Society. .
“In the context of climate change, we can’t say anything out there except that these types of events will become more frequent and more intense,” he said.
Camino said warning systems for such extreme weather only measure precipitation. But the resulting death and destruction depends on all sorts of other factors, including local geography, flood protection, obstacles to water, and upstream rainfall, he said.
“Between heavy rain and its destructive power, we also need to consider the whole chain of actions,” he said.
Reprinted from E&E News Published with permission of POLITICO, LLC. Copyright 2024. E&E News provides news that matters to energy and environment professionals.
