Several killed in Spain's
record flooding
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| A man removes mud from his house after a flood caused by torrential rains in Orihuela |
Authorities say at least five people have died and 3,500
have been evacuated from their homes after flash floods struck south-eastern
Spain. Rivers burst their banks in the area, causing massive damage.
By Stefan J. Bos
Vehicles swept away by rushing floodwaters in south-eastern
Spain. Several regions of Valencia, Murcia and eastern Andalucía saw their most
torrential rainfall on record. And a tornado in Alicante added to the misery.
Torrential rain also caused chaos on roads and public
transport with two airports in Murcia and Almeria closing down, leaving
travelers stranded.
Several railway lines were shut, and schools have been
closed due to the severe weather conditions impacting nearly 700,000 students
in Valencia alone.
And some areas were affected by power cuts. Amid the
hardship, thousands of police, fire-fighters, and soldiers deployed in a rescue
operation, some in boats and helicopters. They struggle to save lives.
One emergency worker recalled how a man was holding onto a
traffic sign as he awaited rescue from the flooding.
Several killed
But help has come too late for several people. Among those
who died was one man after getting stuck inside a flooded motorway tunnel.
Another man was reportedly found dead in the village of
Redovan in Valencia after leaving his home on foot earlier on Friday.
Thousands of people have been evacuated.
The rain was forecast to ease on Saturday. And many
Spanish people may pray that the exected weather change will happen as they
seek an end to massive suffering.
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