Deluge of Destruction: Spain Drowned in 20 Months’ Worth of Rain in a Matter of Days, Death Toll Soars to 95

On the 29th (local time), a river overflowed due to heavy rain in the Alora region of Malaga, Spain, and cars were swept away by the water. 2024.10.30. Malaga = AP/Newsis At least 95 people died due to heavy rain in Spain. The Spanish government has declared three days of national mourning and is making every effort to control the situation.

According to CNN on the 30th (local time), at least 95 people were counted dead when rivers flooded in southeastern Spain the day before due to heavy rain in a short period of time. The worst hit area was Valencia, where 92 residents died. In addition, two people died in Castile-La Mancha and one person died in Andalusia. As missing people are still being searched for, the death toll is likely to rise further.

The Spanish Meteorological Agency said that the rain that fell in Valencia in eight hours was more than the rain that occurred in the last 20 months. Up to 12 inches (about 305 mm) of rain fell in Chiba, west of Valencia, in four hours. The Korea Meteorological Administration said, “This is the highest rainfall in 28 years.” There were many missing people who were washed away in the rapids due to heavy rains. The river flooded and vehicles were washed away.

One woman who said she had no contact with her parents told CNN, “I have not known anything about the fate of my parents since 10 o’clock last night. “The last thing we talked about was that we climbed onto the roof as water filled our parents’ house,” he said “The family walked more than 7km through knee-deep water, but couldn’t find anything one. “I still don’t know where my parents are,” he complained.

Meteorologists said the heavy rain occurred when cold air from the Iberian Peninsula met warm, moist air from the Mediterranean Sea and formed strong rain clouds. Some assessed it as extreme weather caused by climate change. The explanation is that global warming has caused the atmosphere to hold more moisture, leading to explosive downpours.

The Spanish government decided to hold a three-day period of national mourning from the 31st to the 2nd of next month. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said in a speech that day, “All of Spain cries with you. “Our main priority is to help you.” The government has formed an emergency response committee and is carrying out rescue operations by sending more than 1,000 rescue teams and soldiers to the affected areas.

Jo Hye-sun, Donga.com reporter hs87cho@donga.com