Madrid. At least 95 people have lost their lives in floods caused by torrential rains in Spain. According to Minister Angel Victor Torres, the rain fell in Spain’s eastern region of Valencia and the surrounding provinces of Albacete and Cuenca. Within a few hours from last Tuesday night to Wednesday morning, these areas received such heavy rains that they were filled with flood water. More than 60 roads, including the main highway between the east coast, Madrid and Valencia, were closed due to flooding. Local train services have also been cancelled, and the high-speed rail connection between Valencia and the capital Madrid has been suspended. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has decided to visit the affected areas on Thursday. On Wednesday morning, he called an emergency cabinet meeting and promised the government’s full support to the families of the flood victims.
Nearly 1,000 members of the Emergency Response Unit were deployed to the affected areas.
About 1,000 members of the Spanish Army’s Emergency Response Unit have been deployed to the affected areas, helping with rescue and clean-up operations. However, power supply is disrupted in many areas and phone networks are also down. According to meteorologists, Dana is responsible for the torrential rains, which occur when a cold air system collides with the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea. However, its effects are often local. Similar events wreaked havoc in 1966 and 1957, when the Turia River overflowed and devastated the city of Valencia.