New hard blow for flood-affected Spain • Risk of diseases spreading
In Spain, authorities continue to warn of heavy rains, after the floods that hit parts of the country last week and that cost more than 200 people their lives.
At the same time, clean-up work continues in Valencia – where it is feared that diseases may spread in the water and mud.
A red weather warning, for extreme downpours, has been sent to mobile phones in Catalonia. Barcelona is one of the cities covered by the new weather warning and across the region trains have been canceled and motorways closed.
Several flights at El Prat airport in Barcelona have also been rerouted.
The weather agency Aemet warns in the message sent out to the population in the southern parts of the big city of “extreme and persistent rainfall”. In particular, residents are asked to avoid dry ravines and canals.
Warns of diseases
In the neighboring region of Valencia, the situation has been described as a war scenario. According to information on Sunday, at least 217 people are feared to have lost their lives in the floods.
Volunteers and soldiers continue clean-up efforts in the city, where it is feared that disease could spread in the water and mud that covers the city’s streets.
– When the water has been here for many hours, viruses and bacteria can form due to dead animals and more, says Pablo Iarta, a 21-year-old student who volunteered.
– So it is best to take measures such as wearing gloves and a mask, to avoid touching the mud, he continues.