The rain in Spain stays mainly in Valencia

 

Many of Spain´s eastern provinces are reaping the effects of 72 hours of torrential rain, with many area being place under Orange alert for adverse weather conditions.

Average rainfall for the entire month of November for Valencia stands at just 58mm, however a total of 86mm has already been recorded so far this month.

( Perhaps it the weather that was to blame for the high number of abstentions on Sunday´s election - with 9,710,775 or 28.31% abstaining - rather than political apathy ?)

Elsewhere in the region, a family of four died in floodwater when their car was swept away by floodwater in Onda. Earlier today the body of a fifth man was found a number of kilometers downstream from where he had been able to escape the vehicle, but not the grasp of the swollen river.

The heaviest rains today fell between 08.30 and 12.30 hours fell in the Province of Alicante in Agres, Guadalest and Beniarrés, with 30 liters per square meter in Ibi, Vall de Gallinera and Beniarrés with 25 l/m2, and Alicante (city), with 15.2 l/m2 in those four hours alone.

The rain also caused a number of landslides, the most notable of which resulted in the blockage of the Alcoy - Xativa - Valencia railway line.

The `Gota Fria´ of October 2007 was perhaps the most recent case of widespread flooding in the region, with a number of lives being lost, properties and other structures damaged and vehicles washed out to see.

Although latest weather forecasts show the rain abating towards the end of the week, it looks highly unlikely that the rain will be comparable to 2007, however, some inland areas are expected to see some localised flooding.