Spain remains in a state of shock following the catastrophe caused by heavy rain and flooding, which resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives in the province of Valencia. While the Spanish army is working with local emergency services to help affected communities, authorities acknowledge that the current death toll of 214 (211 in Valencia, two in Castilla-La Mancha and one in Andalusia) is likely to rise as access is restored to streets and roads blocked by mud and vehicles swept away by the catastrophic flooding.
In this article we are going to tell you how Historic rains have caused severe flooding in Valencia and its subsequent consequences due to climate change.
humanitarian catastrophe
As José Ángel Núñez, head of Climatology at the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) in Valencia, stated in statements reported by Cadena Ser, "a humanitarian catastrophe is imminent and is likely to be the most serious in Spain since 1962," when floods caused a thousand deaths in the Vallès region of Catalonia. To better understand the context of these tragedies, it is advisable to consult What a flood entails and its effects.
Jorge Olcina, a climatologist at the University of Alicante, said that "This type of phenomenon shouldn't occur in a developed country with the resources that Spain has."Three days after the flood, many people, both inside and outside Spain, are wondering about the origins of a disaster of such magnitude in a country that rarely suffers natural disasters with such significant loss of life.
The recent extraordinary rainfall and flash flooding in Spain, especially severe in the Valencia region, have caused 210 victims to date, as well as significant damage to infrastructure and considerable economic losses. This incident is part of a series of flood disasters that have affected communities around the world. These circumstances underline the primary objective of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) community: to preserve lives as the effects of climate change exacerbate extreme weather events.
Extraordinarily heavy rains
The Valencia region experienced the most severe impact, with numerous localities recording rainfall exceeding 300 litres per square metre. According to the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), A weather station in Chiva recorded an astonishing 491 litres per square metre in a period of just eight hours on 29 and 30 October., which corresponds to the total amount of precipitation normally expected over the course of an entire year.
Images showed people being swept away in vehicles and tumultuous flows of deadly water. A significant number of Valencians, numbering in the tens of thousands, found themselves without electricity, while transport services suffered considerable disruptions. In response, The Spanish government announced three days of national mourning. For further information on infrastructure damage, you can consult damage caused by extreme rainfall.
AEMET, the official entity responsible for authorised alerts in Spain, has issued multiple warnings in accordance with the Common Alert Protocol. This protocol uses a standardised message format applicable to all media, hazards and communication channels. In essence, it represents a universal framework for emergency alerts, ensuring that vital information is disseminated to all people.
Rest of Spain
On November 1, a maximum red alert was issued for the province of Huelva, located in the southwestern corner of Spain, which has experienced heavy rainfall. For example, The municipality of Cartaya recorded 117 l/m² in a period of less than three hours, and in just one hour 70 l/m² fell. In addition, Jerez Airport in southwestern Spain broke a record by receiving 114,8 mm of rain in a 24-hour period on October 30. A second-level alert has also been activated for eastern Spain, covering the Valencia region.
WMO
The World Meteorological Organization works with its Member States and National Meteorological and Hydrological Services to ensure that accurate and timely forecasts are delivered to the public, enabling a rapid response. The primary goal of our efforts is the preservation of lives and livelihoods, which serves as a boost to the global initiative Early Warning for All.
This year, several regions in Europe have faced significant flood impacts. In mid-September 2024, a significant area of Central Europe experienced exceptionally heavy rainfall, resulting in local and national rainfall records being broken.
The influence of climate change
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change indicates that anthropogenic climate change is increasing the likelihood and severity of extreme weather events, such as floods and major droughts. This assertion is supported by the frequency of these events. To better understand the impact of climate change on heavy rainfall in Valencia, see What is red rain and its implications?.
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said: "Current trends show that these events will become more frequent and intense if we do not reduce greenhouse gas emissions." This phenomenon has also led to greater unpredictability and erratic behavior, resulting in an escalation of problems related to water surpluses and shortages. A warmer atmosphere retains more moisture, favoring torrential rains.
The phenomenon affecting Spain, known as DANA, typically occurs during the autumn months. It occurs when residual summer surface heat meets a rapid influx of cold air from the polar regions, giving rise to what meteorologists previously called a “shear system” characterised by persistent low pressure values. The climate system is defined by warm air near the surface, which is energised by excess moisture from the still-warm Mediterranean Sea, together with instability arising from interaction with colder air in the upper atmosphere. This combination leads to the formation of significant convective clouds, resulting in heavy rainfall and flash flooding, as explained by Omar Baddour, Director of Climate Watch at WMO.
He further states: "These systems are projected to intensify as a result of rising sea temperatures and increased atmospheric humidity due to climate change. Consequently, each incremental increase in temperature leads to higher moisture content in the atmosphere, subsequently increasing the likelihood of extreme precipitation events. For a deeper look into how historical rainfall in Valencia is linked to these phenomena, see . I hope this information will help you learn more about the situation in Valencia and the impact of climate change."