Two dead as devastating floods and heavy rain batter Spain; rescue operations underway

Torrential downpours triggered a destructive flash flood and landslide in rural northwestern Spain, leaving two women dead and injuring two infants in the village of Manzanedo de Valdueza (Castile and León).

According to The Strait Times, two women (aged approximately 60 and 80) lost their lives when a wall of mud, stones, and sludge tore through the village.

Two babies were treated for minor bruises, while another elderly resident initially reported missing was later found unharmed.

Emergency services, firefighters, and the Civil Guard were deployed to manage the wreckage, which flattened cars and caused heavy structural damage in Manzanedo de Valdueza and the neighboring village of Bouzas.

The deadly storms prompted Spain’s Civil Protection service to place seven central and northern regions on yellow alert for ongoing heavy rain and severe weather, sharply contrasting with the severe heatwaves and wildfires that have plagued parts of the country.

On Sunday, Spain's Civil ⁠Protection service warned of storms and heavy rain in seven regions of ⁠central and northern Spain.

As reported, the flooding forecasts follow weeks of record ⁠high temperatures that have led to a series of devastating wildfires.