The devastation brought by Spain’s floods of the century
Al Jazeera
Twelve days have passed since catastrophic flash floods carved a muddy scar through eastern Spain, killing more than 200 people and soiling the homes of thousands more.
Apocalyptic scenes speak to the terrifying power of nature unleashed in all its fury.
It was as if a tsunami, rather than rising from the ocean’s depths and crashing into the shore, had been poured down by a vengeful sky god, rampaging through sleepy villages and ordinary neighbourhoods.
The wild newborn river caught thousands unaware, tossed cars around like toys and tore down buildings nearest the normally dry canal banks, which themselves were left widened with ragged edges.
Survivors say it took only 15 minutes for a drainage canal, crucial in the disaster, to go from empty to overflowing. Adjacent homes channelled the rushing water, expanding its shockwave. Regional authorities failed to alert people in time, and in some places, there wasn’t even rain to put people on guard, magnifying the chaos.
