Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Spain got hit by deadly floods from a heavy rain on Tuesday, October 29, claiming at least 95 lives and leaving a trail of devastation as powerful waters swept across multiple regions. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez urged citizens to stay vigilant, as the threat remains high. Spain has declared a three-day period of mourning, marking the country’s deadliest natural disaster in more than half a century.
Rescue teams are still scrambling to assist those affected, with ongoing searches and victim identification efforts. Accroding to AFP, emergency services in Valencia reported that 92 people had died in the region, while two more fatalities occurred in neighboring Castilla-La Mancha, and another was reported in Andalusia in southern Spain.
Spain’s Minister of Government Angel Victor Torres warned that the death toll could climb, as “many people are still missing.” Survivors have been temporarily sheltered at designated locations as authorities work to assess damage and coordinate relief efforts.
Since the beginning of the week, intense rain and high winds driven by a Mediterranean storm have pounded Spain, dumping a year’s worth of rain in some regions in just a matter of hours. This relentless deluge triggered widespread flooding, damaging infrastructure across much of the Valencia area and beyond.
The extreme weather also knocked out power for approximately 155,000 homes in Valencia. The floods have swept away roads, leaving piles of vehicles scattered and disrupting traffic.
In the aftermath, mud-laden floodwaters have clogged roads, forcing residents to clear sludge while attempting to save their homes from further inundation. Meanwhile, train and air travel remain severely disrupted, with the high-speed rail line between Valencia and Madrid shut down for at least four days.
Apple Offers $1 Million for Anyone Who Can Hack its New System
Prime Minister Sanchez addressed the nation, emphasizing that aiding victims is the government’s top priority. “All of Spain mourns with you… We will not abandon you,” he stated, promising to deploy all necessary resources to help with recovery efforts.
In a televised speech, Sanchez assured the nation that all government assets would be mobilized to address the impacts of this catastrophe. Defense Minister Margarita Robles reported that over 1,000 troops, backed by helicopters, have been deployed to respond to what she described as an “unmatched phenomenon.”
The European Union has activated its Copernicus satellite system to aid Spanish rescue teams in their coordination efforts, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen offering further assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
Spain Worst Floods Since 1973
Spain’s national weather agency, AEMET, issued a red alert for heavy rainfall and severe weather in Several region. With rain showing little sign of abating, Spain now faces its worst floods since 1973, when more than 150 people died in Granada, Murcia, and Almeria.
Meteorologists attribute the storm to cold air moving over the warm waters of the Mediterranean, generating intense rain clouds—a common phenomenon at this time of year. However, scientists caution that human-induced climate change is amplifying the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events like this storm, increasing the risk of destruction in countries like Spain.
“Events of this extremity can overwhelm even well-prepared defenses and contingency plans in developed nations like Spain,” said Leslie Mabon, a senior lecturer at Open University in the UK.
Though flood warning systems were activated in Valencia, the high number of casualties underscores the need for even greater community preparedness, even when early alerts are issued.
(Raidi/Agung)
