In brief
A historic rainfall event has inundated southern Spain, particularly impacting regions like Andalusia and cities including Valencia and Malaga. The deluge brought about a month's worth of rain in just one day, raising concerns over safety and recovery efforts.
---Manuel Yerai, a farmer in southern Spain, witnessed a shocking spectacle on Monday night as hailstones the size of tennis balls battered his crops, marking one of the most devastating weather events of the year. “My greenhouses look like they had been shot at,” lamented the 40-year-old, speaking from his badly damaged farm in El Ejido, an area predominantly known for its agriculture. Shattered windows and damaged vehicles surrounded him, and he described the streets as littered with dead sparrows.The catastrophic rainfall, impacting millions in southern and eastern Spain, began to intensify late Monday. Across various localities like Valencia, Murcia, and Malaga, rainfall levels eclipsed what typically falls in an entire month. In Andalusia, the deluge claimed a staggering four times the average rainfall for October.According to Spain’s meteorological agency, certain regions experienced a rainfall ranging from 150 to 200 liters per square meter—which equates to about 40 to 50 gallons per square yard—over the span of just two hours. Meteorologists have warned that more rain is expected to persist until at least Thursday, and potentially through the weekend.Rubén del Campo, a spokesperson for the meteorological body, described the situation as “extreme danger,” imploring residents to avoid traveling unless absolutely necessary. Images from Alora showcased dramatic rescues, emphasizing the severity of the situation as emergency crews worked tirelessly to assist stranded individuals amidst the chaos of the flooded streets.
