Authorities in Spain have halted commuter rail services around Barcelona amid a red alert for extreme rain, following deadly floods around Valencia that have already claimed 217 lives.
Barcelona is braced for further torrential rain on Monday prompting Spanish Transport Minister Óscar Puente to announce the suspension of all commuter train services in northeastern Catalonia.
The region is home to eight million people and the action follows a request from civil protection officials.
Soldiers, police and firefighters have joined forces to search areas around Valencia for survivors after a deluge in the region last week.
How Bad Is the Flooding in Spain?
Mobile phones across Barcelona sounded an alert warning of "extreme and continued rainfall" in the southern outskirts of the city. The message advised residents to steer clear of typically dry gorges or canals due to the risk of sudden flooding.
Transport Minister Óscar Puente reported that the heavy rains had forced air traffic controllers to reroute 15 flights scheduled to land at Barcelona's airport, situated on the city's southern edge.
Flooding also led to the closure of several highways. In Tarragona, a city in southern Catalonia roughly midway between Barcelona and Valencia, school classes were canceled after a red alert for intense rainfall was issued.
In Valencia, search efforts continued while authorities combed through homes and thousands of wrecked vehicles scattered across streets, highways, and canals that had funneled last week's devastating floods into residential areas.
What Is the Spanish Government Doing to Help?
Spain's Interior Minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, stated that authorities are currently unable to provide a reliable estimate of the number of missing individuals following the recent floods.
Meanwhile, Spanish national television RTVE has aired emotional appeals from several individuals desperately seeking information about their missing loved ones.
In the municipality of Aldaia, approximately 50 soldiers, police officers, and firefighters, some clad in wetsuits, carried out a search for potential victims within the flooded underground parking area of a sprawling shopping center. Navigating the expansive space with a small boat and spotlights, they moved carefully among vehicles submerged in over a meter of murky water.
Police spokesman Ricardo Gutiérrez informed reporters that around 50 vehicles had been found during the search so far, with no bodies discovered in the area.
The 1,800-space underground parking lot at the Bonaire shopping mall was rapidly overwhelmed by water and mud on Tuesday and Wednesday, while tsunami-like floods swept through the southern outskirts of Valencia. The search team is operating four pumps to clear the water from the submerged lot.
Citizens, volunteers, and thousands of soldiers and police officers continued their massive cleanup operation, working tirelessly to clear thick mud and debris from affected areas.
Are the People of Spain Angry at the Official Response to the Flooding?
Frustration has mounted among residents who feel neglected by authorities, reaching a boiling point on Sunday when an outraged crowd hurled mud at Spain's royal couple, the prime minister, and regional leaders during their initial visit to Paiporta.
In this hard-hit town, where more than 60 people lost their lives, survivors are grappling with homelessness and continued lack access to drinking water.
While Spain is accustomed to autumn storms that sometimes bring seasonal flooding, the recent downpours have resulted in the deadliest floods in living memory. Climate scientists and meteorologists point to a cutoff low-pressure system while the immediate cause—one that drifted from a highly irregular jet stream. Fueled by an exceptionally warm Mediterranean Sea, the system stalled over the region, releasing relentless torrents of rain.
On Monday, the Spanish navy's transport vessel Galicia docked at Valencia's port, carrying Marines, helicopters, and trucks loaded with essential supplies of food and water. The arrival bolstered the ongoing relief operation, which includes 7,500 soldiers and thousands of additional police officers aiding in the recovery efforts.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
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