**Four Times the Monthly Rainfall in a Day: Spain’s Worst Disaster in 51 Years**
Heavy rains in southeastern Spain on the 29th (local time) have resulted in a dramatic increase in the death toll to 158. This is the worst human casualty since 300 people died in the 1973 floods.
According to Spain’s rescue authorities on X (formerly Twitter) as of 4 PM on the 31st (local time), the death toll in the Valencia region has risen to 155, with two additional deaths reported in Castilla-La Mancha and one in Andalusia, bringing the total to 158. The death toll is expected to rise as search operations continue. Transport Minister Oscar Puente stated, as reported by AP News, that “unfortunately, there are deceased individuals in some vehicles.”
The Spanish Meteorological Agency stated that the immediate crisis has passed, but more rain is forecasted for this week.
On the 29th, torrential rains hit southeastern Spain in a short period, with some regions experiencing 150-200 liters of rain per square meter in just two hours. In Andalusia, the rainfall in one day was four times the amount typically expected for the entire month of October. The sudden heavy rain caused rivers and streams to overflow quickly, and the delayed evacuation orders led to greater human casualties. Valencia, in particular, where urbanization has progressed rapidly without adequate flood control infrastructure, faced significant damage.
Authorities deployed 51 search dog teams, 15 helicopters, and 18 drones for the search and rescue efforts, along with over 1,200 military personnel at the flood sites. Additionally, 300 large vehicles were dispatched to rescue those trapped inside their homes.