The “cold drop” caused a violent storm and extensive damage in Spain

Vehicles piled up or dragged towards the sea by the force of the water, Fallen trees, floating garbage cans and streets transformed into real rivers: the heavy rains that fell in eastern Spain left impressive images and destruction, which the authorities assessed.

Does ftemporary erosion is the effect of a phenomenon known as a “cold drop”, which has already caused other flooding in previous years around this time. Wednesday’s severe storm caused flooding in several cities, including the provinces of Tarragona, Castellón and Toledo.

Today there has been significant rainfall in Catalonia, the Valencian Community, Aragon, the Balearics and Navarre, with areas in orange level due to storms and rains.

According to the newspaper El País, two German tourists aged 23 and 25 who bathed in the waters of Cala Mandia, in Manacor, Mallorca, drowned when they were swimming in the middle of a strong surf.

The impact of the storm which was classified Wednesday as “very exceptional” by the meteorological service de Catalunya caused serious property damage in eastern Spain, where towns like Alcanar, some 200 kilometers south of Barcelona, ​​reached 212 liters per square meter in three hours.

The cold drop, DANA or segregated depression, is an annual meteorological phenomenon that generally coincides with the onset of autumn and spring in the western Mediterranean.

a a strong flow of brown water swept through the streets of several municipalities in the area, devastate everything in its path and force the security forces to rescue people from vehicles.
In principle, there were no deaths in the towns affected by the floods.

“It seemed like the world was ending”, described Alcanar mayor Joan Roig on Rac 1 radio, and said yesterday his town was “devastated”, for which he asked for help to remove the mud that still flooded its streets.
The local administration is keeping the flood alert while the damage is assessed and the 83 people who have been evicted return to their homes.

In towns like Alcanar, about 200 kilometers south of Barcelona, ​​they recorded 212 liters per square meter in three hours.

The devastating floods left by a storm in Spain. Real rivers in the streets, people trapped in cars and dozens of families had to be rescued and accommodated in a sports stadium in the Alcanar region. pic.twitter.com/eHNEXBI7gH

– The third video (@LaTerceraTV) September 2, 2021

The arrival of the first DANA (High Level Isolated Depression) wreaked havoc in several regions of Spain 🇪🇸
The first DANA in September triggers heavy storms and causes flooding in the center and east of the peninsulapic.twitter.com/QNqbpEdWlk

– Radio Caracas (@ RCR750) September 2, 2021

In the neighboring Valencian Community (east), torrential rains made it even more difficult to get out of the giant monuments of Las Fallas in the street. taking place these days for the first time since the start of the covid pandemic.

In Madrid, the storm also inundated streets, urban tunnels and roads, causing traffic jams, falling trees or branches and damaged vehicles. Several metro lines have had to temporarily suspend their services.
In addition, homes and business premises were flooded. The emergency services were overwhelmed by calls for help.

The “cold drop” phenomenon can occur between late summer and early fall.