Spain , Nov 03, V7N- Spain is grappling with the deadliest flash floods in its modern history, with at least 214 people confirmed dead and dozens still missing after torrential rains devastated the eastern Valencia region. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced on Saturday that an additional 5,000 army troops would join the 2,500 already deployed for search and recovery operations, marking the largest peacetime mobilization by Spain’s Armed Forces.
 
The floods, which have affected various parts of the country, including two fatalities in Castilla La Mancha and one in Andalusia, are now considered Europe’s most severe flood disaster since 1967. In a rare success, rescuers saved a woman who had been trapped for three days in a car park in Montcada, Valencia, bringing a glimmer of hope amidst the crisis. Her rescue was met with applause from local residents, according to civil protection chief Martin Perez.
 
In Valencia's Picanya suburb, residents are struggling to rebuild. Emilia, a 74-year-old shop owner, described the dire situation: “We feel abandoned... we are throwing away furniture, everything." The need for essential appliances like fridges and washing machines has become pressing, as some residents lack basic facilities to wash or shower. Nurse Maria Jose Gilabert, who also resides in Picanya, expressed the community's despair: "It will be a long time before this becomes a habitable area again."
 
The storm has triggered weather alerts in nearby regions, including the Balearic Islands and Catalonia, as heavy rains are expected to continue. Scientists attribute the rising frequency and severity of extreme weather events in Europe to climate change, with the Mediterranean’s warming waters contributing to higher rates of evaporation, intensifying rainfall.
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