Spain faces catastrophic flooding: 95 lives lost in historic deluge

Spain is enduring one of its deadliest flood disasters in decades, with at least 95 fatalities and many still unaccounted for, following unprecedented rains that deluged the eastern province of Valencia and surrounding regions.

On October 29, relentless downpours triggered flash floods, demolishing bridges, engulfing buildings, and forcing residents to seek refuge on rooftops and trees, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has declared a three-day period of national mourning as the severe weather, still ongoing, complicates rescue efforts. Authorities fear the death toll may rise further, given the many people reported missing.

Valencia alone reported at least 92 deaths, with additional fatalities in Castilla-La Mancha and Málaga. This event marks Spain’s deadliest flooding since 1973 when catastrophic floods in the southeast claimed around 150 lives.

Addressing the nation on October 30, Sánchez urged vigilance and pledged full support to the victims, stating, “The whole of Spain weeps with you… we won’t abandon you.”

In Chiva, one of the earliest affected towns near Valencia, a year’s worth of rain fell within just eight hours, according to Spain’s meteorological agency, Aemet. By October 30, emergency services, including the military, were conducting extensive rescues, winching people from balconies and car rooftops as flood survivors recounted the terrifying experience of escaping through rapidly rising waters.

Spain’s civil protection agency faced criticism for delayed alerts, with warnings issued hours after some towns were already flooded. Regional officials also defended the decision to dissolve the Valencia Emergency Unit, a group previously dedicated to disaster response.

Over 1,000 Spanish troops have joined rescue efforts, though access to many areas remains challenging due to flooded roads and disrupted communications. The European Union activated its Copernicus satellite system to aid coordination, and other European countries have offered additional support.

Spain’s Defense Minister Margarita Robles called the flooding an "unprecedented phenomenon.” Although the downpour began to ease in central-eastern Spain by Wednesday, weather authorities warned that heavy rains were heading northward toward Catalonia, and additional flood alerts were issued across the country.

While natural weather patterns, such as a seasonal “gota fría,” contributed to the heavy rainfall, scientists underscore the role of climate change. According to Dr. Friederike Otto of Imperial College London, warmer global temperatures allow the atmosphere to retain more moisture, intensifying rainfall events like these. “There’s no doubt these explosive downpours were intensified by climate change,” Dr. Otto stated.

With global temperatures already up by around 1.1°C since the industrial era, scientists emphasize the urgent need for drastic emission cuts to mitigate such extreme weather events in the future.

By Tamilla Hasanova