Spain is facing renewed warnings of severe weather in areas already devastated by recent fatal flooding. The national meteorological agency, Aemet, has announced that parts of the country, especially the eastern coast, will experience further storms and heavy rainfall. The alert level for these areas was raised late on Saturday, with the stormy conditions expected to continue throughout Sunday.
On Saturday, Aemet escalated the weather warnings across several areas, designating an “orange” alert level—signifying considerable danger—along the eastern Spanish coast. In the regions around Valencia, heavy rainfall and severe storms are anticipated from Sunday morning, posing a substantial risk to already fragile infrastructure. Additional warnings were issued for the regions around Murcia, Alicante, and Tarragona, with rainfall expected to exceed 100 to 150 litres per square metre.
Meanwhile, in Andalusia, specifically in Almería, the alert level has been raised to “red,” the highest warning level, due to the forecast of extremely hazardous weather. Aemet cautioned that local rivers and channels could overflow, resulting in further flooding, while strong winds are also expected to intensify the danger. “The risk is extreme,” Aemet declared, urging residents to take immediate safety precautions.
Additional Resources Deployed by Government
In response to the crisis, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced the deployment of 10,000 additional military personnel, alongside an equal number of police officers and civil guard units, to aid those affected in the southeast. In an updated casualty report, Sanchez confirmed that 211 people have now died as a result of the floods, marking an increase from earlier counts. Search and rescue efforts continue as authorities strive to locate those still unaccounted for, despite substantial challenges due to the adverse conditions.
Fernando Grande-Marlaska, Spain’s Minister of the Interior, stated that authorities are prepared for the potential discovery of additional fatalities. Speaking on a national news programme, he indicated that it would be “unwise to speculate on the number of missing persons,” adding that precise figures are not yet available.
Uncertainty Over Missing Persons
Reports from El Diario revealed that the Civil Protection service in Valencia initially received approximately 1,900 missing person notifications following the floods. However, Grande-Marlaska declined to confirm these figures, emphasising the lack of reliable criteria in the early phases of reporting. Efforts to locate missing individuals have seen some success; as of Saturday, around 600 people initially reported as missing have been found. Nevertheless, numerous bodies remain unaccounted for amid the challenging search conditions, and authorities are cautious in estimating the true scope of the tragedy.
Hospitals Under Strain, Community Mobilises to Assist
Hospitals in affected regions are experiencing unprecedented demand, with facilities struggling to accommodate the influx of patients. During a joint press conference on Friday, Interior Minister Grande-Marlaska and Carlos Mazón, head of Valencia’s regional government, outlined the critical pressure on local healthcare services, which are approaching maximum capacity.
Despite the overwhelming challenges, local communities are rallying to support the relief efforts. Thousands of volunteers have gathered in Valencia to provide assistance to the hardest-hit suburban areas. Miguel Salvador, president of the Volunteer Platform of the Valencian Community, expects between 6,000 and 7,000 volunteers to mobilise this weekend. Arrangements have been made to transport these volunteers to the affected zones by bus, ensuring that aid reaches those most in need.
Growing Solidarity Amid Uncertainty
While many in Spain and beyond have extended their support and solidarity to the victims, the severity of the flooding has left affected communities facing an uncertain future. Despite the widespread volunteer efforts, there is an air of despair, as numerous families remain unsure of the fate of their loved ones and the extent of the damage to their homes.
The Spanish government, alongside local and regional authorities, continues to coordinate the relief efforts, although the scale of destruction poses significant challenges. As weather forecasts predict further adverse conditions in the coming days, emergency services are on high alert, and officials are urging residents to stay informed and heed safety instructions closely.
With conditions deteriorating and the risk of more casualties growing, Spain’s eastern coast braces itself for what could be another round of severe weather in an already catastrophic situation.
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