Worst flooding in 30 years hits southern Spain

Unprecedented amounts of rain have caused severe flash flooding in parts of southern Spain over the weekend, culminating on Sunday, December 4, 2016. At least two people have been killed.

Meteorologists say a massive 200 liters of water per cubic meter fell in just 12 hours. Some reports mention 50 to 60 mm (2 to 2.4 inches) within 1 hour. 

The city of Malaga and other parts of Costa Del Sol in Andalusia suffered widespread flooding and chaos.

Emergency services said there were more than 600 emergency incidents.

Local police said it was the worst rain since 1989.

According to The Olive Press, electricity has been cut off in large parts of Manilva and Sabinillas as roads are turned into rivers. Roads have also been shut in Estepona and Marbella after rivers burst their banks and drains blocked up, with thousands of homes facing flooding.

According to The Local, a 26-year-old-woman drowned in a basement strip club in Estepona after it rapidly filled with water. Emergency services went to her rescue but were unable to reach her before the basement filled with water. 

Further down the coast towards Gibraltar, an employee from electricity firm Endesa died after his car was swept away in flash flood on the outskirts of La Linea, as he attempted to reach an industrial estate to repair a transformer.

On December 5, Meteoalarm issued a yellow warning for rain in Alicante, Valencia, Cadiz and Malaga.

Featured image: Flash flooding in Malaga, Spain on December 4, 2016. Credit: El Guardia Civil.