Heavy rains strike Spain, resulting in one fatality.

Strong rains have hit several regions in eastern Spain, causing flooding, transport disruptions, and resulting in at least one death.

On Thursday, September 17, Catalan rescue teams discovered the body of a man swept away by the waters in Olivella, located about 40 kilometers west of Barcelona. According to emergency services, the victim was behind the wheel of a vehicle that was carried off by the raging waters.

The Spanish meteorological agency had issued warnings for heavy rainfall in several areas of the eastern part of the country and temporarily raised the alert level to red in Barcelona due to the risk of flooding.

In Barcelona, several metro stations were closed and bus routes were diverted as numerous streets became inundated. Regional train services were also disrupted, while El Prat Airport recorded delays and flight cancellations.

Catalonia’s emergency services received over 850 calls related to the severe weather, leading to more than 500 interventions. Authorities urged residents of both Catalonia and Valencia to avoid non-essential travel.

In the neighboring Valencia region, several municipalities experienced over 70 millimeters of rain in just half an hour. This area had already been severely affected by flooding in 2024, which resulted in more than 230 fatalities.

In Valencia, all metro lines were suspended, and the airport was temporarily closed due to the floods, leading to the diversion of 12 flights.

In the southeast of the country, more than 20 municipalities in Almería and the Murcia region also canceled classes as a precautionary measure.