Spain floods newest: Barcelona hit by ‘extreme danger’ rain warning as airport flooded and flights cancelled

The Spanish municipality of Gava just outside of Barcelona has suffered severe flooding as extreme weather hits the Catalonia area, footage has shown.

Spain’s airport operator has cancelled 50 flights at El Prat airport amid rainstorms in Barcelona.

Previously, they had cancelled just 15.

Footage published online has shown Barcelona’s El Prat airport hit by severe rainfall, with the runway completely flooded.

Spain’s meteorological agency has warned of “extreme danger” in Catalonia as a result of intense rainfall.

In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, the agency warned of a “very intense downpour” at El Prat airport and in Baix Llobregat.

“Be very careful! Do not travel unless strictly necessary!” they wrote.

The Barcelona coastline has been put on red warning for severe torrential rains along its coastline.

The Spanish weather agency reports that 81 litres per square metre have already affected the city’s airport El Prat, with forecasts of over 180 litres expected in the area over the next 24 hours.

Spain’s transport minister Oscar Puente announced a crisis committee has been set up to monitor the impact at the airport – with 15 deviations recorded so far.

Local authorities have issued an alert to mobile phones in coastal regions as the community braces for “continuous and torrential rains” this morning lasting until 1.30pm.

They have called for extreme caution and urged people to avoid unnecessary travel and to keep away from rivers and beaches as, even without rain, they “can swell rapidly”.

Train services have been suspended until 2pm today with several roads closed due to risk of flooding and landslides.

Incidents have already been reported in the city of Tarragona, where firefighters have been rescuing residents after a night of heavy rain and storms.

Spain‘s transport minister Oscar Puente said airport operator Aena diverted 15 flights that were due to land in Barcelona El Prat airport on Monday morning because of a rainstorm hitting the area.

Trains in Catalonia have been suspended due to weather issues, the Spanish transport minister has reported.

Oscar Puente, Spanish transport minister, wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “IMPORTANT NOTICE!!!

“At the request of Civil Protection, we are suspending all Rodalies Cataluña services until further notice.”

Spain is deploying 7,500 troops to its eastern region hit by devastating floods, the government said on Monday in the face of rising discontent over the response to the catastrophe that has killed at least 217 people.

The army sent about 5,000 soldiers over the weekend to help distribute food and water, clean up streets and protect shops and properties from looters. A further 2,500 would join them, Defence Minister Margarita Robles told state-owned radio RNE.

A warship carrying 104 marine infantry soldiers as well as trucks with food and water was approaching Valencia port even as a strong hailstorm pummelled Barcelona some 300 km (186 miles) to the north.

Rescue teams on Monday were searching for bodies in underground garages including a 5,000-car park at Bonaire shopping mall near Valencia airport as well as river mouths where currents may have deposited bodies.

Fatalities from Spain’s worst flash floods in modern history edged higher to 217 on Sunday – almost all of them in the Valencia region and more than 60 in the suburb of Paiporta.

Local residents’ anger was focused on late alerts from authorities about the dangers of flooding and a perceived delayed response by emergency services.