Image Source =CNN news
Spain's Flood
In what has become Spain’s deadliest flood in more than half a century, devastating rainfall has claimed at least 95 lives, with authorities warning that the toll may continue to rise. The disaster struck when some regions received more than a month’s worth of rain in just 24 hours, transforming roads into raging rivers and stranding countless residents in their homes.
The flooding was brought on by a weather event known as “gota fría” or DANA (“Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos”), a phenomenon common in Spain’s southern and eastern regions. This isolated cold-air depression triggered an intense and prolonged downpour, with particularly severe impacts in Valencia, Murcia, and Malaga.
Spain's Flood
The rains began on Monday, October 28, initially welcomed by residents. Yet, within hours, celebrations turned to panic as the relentless rainfall led to severe flooding. The hardest-hit areas, like Andalusia, recorded four times the usual amount of October rainfall in a single day.
As Spain grapples with the aftermath, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has declared three days of national mourning starting October 31. Rescue operations are ongoing, though efforts are hampered by the extreme conditions.
Scientists note that while DANA events are not new, their intensity may be influenced by broader climate patterns. This catastrophe has raised questions about preparedness and adaptation in the face of increasingly unpredictable weather.
