Flash Floods In Spain Kills 95; Death Toll Expected To Be Higher (image @HydrometryEA)
Madrid, Spain: Spain is facing its worst flooding disaster in decades. At least 95 people were dead and dozens more are missing after huge rains swept the eastern province of Valenica and beyond. Rescuers are still searching for the missing.
The flash flood triggered by the torrential rain on Tuesday swept away bridges and buildings. It forced people to climb onto roofs or cling to trees to survive.
President Pedro Sánchez has declared three days of national mourning as the wild conditions continue, restricting some rescue efforts.
The death toll is feared to be higher as “many people are still missing,” the government says. Reportedly, the authorities are not ready to disclose how many are
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During his national address on Wednesday, President Sanchez urged citizens to remain vigilant and pledged a full recovery, telling victims: “The whole of Spain weeps with you… we won’t abandon you”.
The rescue workers are trying hard to comb through caked vehicles and debris swamped up next to roads and fields. Television footage showed heavy machinery being used to clear the debris.
Spain has deployed more than 1,000 troops to help with rescue efforts on Wednesday. However, many remain cut-off from towns by flooded roads and downed communication and power lines.
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The farmland in a region that produces about two-thirds of the citrus fruit grown in Spain, a leading global exporter of oranges were all submerged under heavy mud, and remnants of buildings and vehicles. Bridges, roads, rail tracks and buildings were swept away.
Meteorologists opine that a year’s worth of rain had fallen in eight hours in parts of Valencia on Tuesday.
It is estimated that the flood has caused hundreds of thousands of euros worth of damages. Though government pledged to help, people are worried that they would receive aid to help rebuild what is lost.
