Torrential rain and flash floods have caused widespread disruption across north-eastern Spain, resulting in one fatality. Rescuers recovered the body of a man on Thursday in Olivella, approximately 40km west of Barcelona, after his car was swept away by a stream.
Spain's national weather agency AEMET issued warnings for heavy rain across eastern regions on Wednesday, including a red alert for Barcelona's coastline. The deluge has disrupted travel across Catalonia and Valencia, leading to flight cancellations and submerged roads. Authorities have advised against unnecessary travel.
Emergency services in Catalonia reported receiving more than 850 calls and cataloguing over 500 incidents. In Valencia, some municipalities experienced over 70mm of rain in just half an hour, with the meteorological association AVAMET noting such rainfall accumulations in 30 minutes are rare. Emergency services in Valencia province reported 478 incidents, primarily involving property damage, leaks, and traffic disruption.
In Barcelona, some metro stations were closed, buses diverted, and regional trains disrupted. Flights at El Prat airport were delayed or cancelled. In Valencia's regional capital, all metro lines were suspended and the city's airport was shut for several hours, causing flight diversions.