1 dead after torrential rain, flash floods hit Barcelona region

Heavy rain and flash floods swept through the northeastern Spanish region of Barcelona, resulting in one death and causing significant disruption. The Spanish national weather agency, AEMET, had previously issued warnings for heavy rainfall, including a red alert for Barcelona's coastline.

Rescuers retrieved the body of a man on Thursday in Olivella, a town about 25 miles west of Barcelona, after his vehicle was swept away by a stream. The downpour severely impacted travel in Catalonia and Valencia, with several flights canceled and numerous roads submerged. Authorities advised against unnecessary travel, and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warned of "very complicated situations."

Emergency services in Catalonia received over 850 calls related to the intense downpours and documented more than 500 incidents. Catalan firefighters confirmed the recovery of a deceased male in Olivella, correcting earlier reports that said the victim was female. Social media videos depicted partially submerged cars and rescue workers attempting to reach a vehicle stuck in a flooded underpass.

In Barcelona, some metro stations were closed, buses rerouted, and regional trains disrupted. Air travel at El Prat airport was also affected, with flights delayed or canceled. Valencia experienced over 70mm of rain in just half an hour in several towns, according to the meteorological association AVAMET. They noted that "rarely have we seen such rainfall accumulations in 30 minutes."

The torrential rain occurred as Spain is emerging from its hottest summer on record and an exceptionally warm start to September. Scientists attribute the intensification of Mediterranean storms, which typically hit eastern Spain in autumn, to climate change driven by human activities. The flooding was a grim reminder of the deadly flooding in Valencia two years ago, which claimed over 230 lives.