Is this a warning to us all? A year’s worth of rain fell in a matter of hours in eastern and southern Spain, causing some of the deadliest flooding in decades. Almost 160 people have been reported dead so far.
'End of the world' floods sweep Spain
Is this a warning to us all? A year's worth of rain fell in a matter of hours in eastern and southern Spain, causing some of the deadliest flooding in decades. Almost 160 people have been reported dead so far.
Flash flooding in southern and eastern Spain has caused apocalypticReferring to the end of the world, or the collapse of civilisation. scenes of chaos and destruction. Survivors clung to roofs, balconies and bridges after the region saw its heaviest rainfall in 28 years, causing rivers to burst their banks and flood entire towns.
With more than 150 people dead from the floods as we went to press, experts say that they expect the number of deaths to rise as dozens remain missing.
These are Spain's worst floods in at least three decades. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said: "The whole of Spain weeps with you... we won't abandon you."
But authorities are also under scrutiny, as people say that disaster relief officials were too slow to act on warnings of destructive weather, so they were unable to take the necessary steps to protect themselves.
Scientists warn that although climate change is not the only factor causing extreme weather events, it makes them more frequent and more intense.
Throughout history, floods have been a symbol of choice for the end of humanity as we know it. In the Book of Genesis, God sees the depravityMoral corruption. and violence of the Earth and decides to destroy his creations with a great flood.
Is this a warning to us all?
Yes! Huge floods such as these are the environment's way of warning us that we are destroying the planet without a second thought for the impact this is having on people's lives.
No! This is a huge tragedy, but the reality is that extreme weather events will happen regardless of climate change.
Keywords
Apocalyptic - Referring to the end of the world, or the collapse of civilisation.
Depravity - Moral corruption.
‘End of the world’ floods sweep Spain
Glossary
Apocalyptic - Referring to the end of the world, or the collapse of civilisation.
Depravity - Moral corruption.