In brief
The latest flooding highlights the risks associated with climate change and poor emergency response in Spain.
New flash floods ravaged the Girona region in northeastern Spain early Friday, with around 30 vehicles reportedly washed away in the picturesque town of Cadaqués. Footage shared by local journalists illustrated the alarming scene, showcasing torrents of water rushing through the streets and a significant number of cars accumulated under a bridge.Fortunately, there have been no reported injuries in these latest weather events. This flood follows last week’s catastrophic flooding in Valencia, which resulted in over 200 fatalities, marking one of the worst flooding disasters in Europe in recent years. Widespread outrage has emerged regarding the government's perceived failure to issue timely emergency alerts to the public.The flooding episodes in Cadaqués on Friday morning caused substantial disruption, with Catalonia's fire service confirming the vehicles trapped under a bridge. Foreboding weather predictions indicate that additional dangerous conditions may arise, with authorities issuing rain warnings for the area until Saturday afternoon. The meteorological service cautioned residents of Alt Emporda, where Cadaqués is situated, that rainfall rates could surpass 20 mm (0.7 inches) within a 30-minute span.Recent reports from Spain's national weather agency, Aemet, reveal an alarming 72% increase in rainfall from October 1 to November 5, as compared to typical levels. Experts link the severity of these weather events to the effects of climate change, which have exacerbated the situation, leading to flash floods that pose risks to drivers and pedestrians alike.
