Worst floods in Spain's memory hit 'like a tsunami'

People shouldn't be dying from these kinds of forecasted weather events in countries where they have the resources to do better,

Stephens said

Our analysis using the Emergency Events Database shows that, since 2000, such regions experienced less than half (47%) of deadly flash floods globally, yet saw almost three-quarters (74%) of related deaths,

the authors wrote

Flash floods can affect anyone, anywhere. We take preparation for other hazards such as earthquakes and tsunamis very seriously with education, drills, and emergency kits,

she said

Events of this type, which used to occur many decades apart, are now becoming more frequent, and their destructive capacity is greater,

he said

Our entire infrastructure and civilization are based around a climate that no longer exists,

he said,

Droughts and floods are the two sides of the same climate change coin,

said Stefano Materia, an Italian climate scientist at Barcelona Supercomputing Centre

The tragic consequences of this event show that we have a long way to go,

said Liz Stephens, a climate risk scientist at the University of Reading

That means more energy, more water vapour, more instability – all ingredients fuelling terrifying storms when atmospheric conditions are favourable,

he said

In general terms, what we know is that, in the context of climate change, these types of intense and exceptional, rare rainfall events are going to become more frequent and more intense and, therefore, destructive.

Dr Ernesto Rodríguez Camino, Senior State Meteorologist and member of Spanish Meteorological Association, said

The flash floods in Spain are another terrible reminder of the changing and more chaotic weather we are experiencing as a result of climate change.

Dr Jess Neumann, Associate Professor of Hydrology at the University of Reading, added

No doubt about it, these explosive downpours were intensified by climate change

Dr Friederike Otto, Lead of World Weather Attribution at the Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, said

As well as increased rainfall extremes, we are seeing hotter summer which can bake the soil and reduce its ability to absorb water

Professor Mark Smith, Professor of Water Science & Health at the University of Leeds, said