Residents stand on their balconies above destroyed furniture below after floods in Paiporta, near Valencia, Spain, November 3, 2024. /CFP
The regional government in Spain's Valencia announced on Sunday that it would restrict the activities of residents in places less affected by flooding to ensure safety and effective emergency response in the most severely impacted areas. The decision follows a severe storm warning issued by the State Meteorological Agency, which forecast heavy rainfall across several provinces in the Valencia region.
The flooding in the region is Europe's worst flood-related disaster since 1967, with at least 214 confirmed deaths and many individuals still unaccounted for four days after torrential rain swept through the area.
A massive search and rescue operation is underway as the rain continues. In a televised statement, Prime Minister Sanchez announced the deployment of an additional 5,000 army troops to assist with the ongoing search and cleanup efforts, adding to the 2,500 soldiers already deployed.
A woman sweeps away mud after floods in Paiporta, near Valencia, Spain, November 3, 2024. /CFP
Residents in disaster-stricken areas have begun clearing mud and repairing damaged buildings and infrastructure. Volunteers from nearby regions have also come to assist. Throughout Spain, donation drives have been launched to support affected residents.
Record-breaking rainfall and flash floods have caused significant casualties and disruptions throughout Spain, adding to the growing list of flooding disasters affecting communities worldwide.
"The Valencia region was worst affected. Some areas received more than the equivalent of a year's amount of rainfall in the space of eight hours," said World Meteorological Organization spokesperson Claire Nellis
"The flooding that we're seeing in Spain is just one of many, many, many, extreme weather and water-related disasters that have been taking place around the world this year. Almost every week we're seeing such shocking images," she said.