Heavy rain and flooding in the Catalonia region in northeastern Spain on Sunday resulted in the death of two people and one person missing. These rains led to dangerous flooding in some parts of Barcelona and Girona, and officials have warned residents to stay indoors.
Details of Incidents and Damages
According to Catalonia firefighters, one of the victims died due to a wall collapse in a camp in Tordera, north of Barcelona, and the other drowned in a parking lot. Search operations for the missing person in Pineda de Mar, about 52 kilometers north of Barcelona, are ongoing.
Regional officials have advised residents to act cautiously and follow emergency service instructions. Rainfall in many areas has exceeded 100 millimeters, according to the Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET).
Consequences of Flooding and Related Disruptions
Civil protection organizations have sent warnings to residents near the Besòs River, urging them to move to higher floors in case of flooding. In some areas, homes have been flooded, and vehicles have been submerged. Rail services have also been disrupted in some regions.
Emergency services are rescuing individuals trapped in vehicles caught in flooded streets in Granollers and other areas. Barcelona Airport has also faced flight cancellations or delays, and shops have closed earlier than usual. Sports and cultural events have been canceled due to the weather conditions.
These storms are linked to a weather phenomenon known as "DANA" (DANA), traditionally referred to in Spain as "gota fría" or "cold drop." This phenomenon occurs when cold air at high altitudes mixes with warm, moist air from the Mediterranean, creating severe storms.
The geography of Spain can amplify the effects of this phenomenon, as moist air from the Mediterranean is forced to rise by mountain ranges that separate the coasts from the inland areas of the country. The recent floods in Catalonia occurred nearly two years after catastrophic floods associated with "DANA" that claimed 238 lives in eastern Spain in October 2024.
A study published in 2026 showed that climate change due to human activities intensified rainfall during that disaster. These findings pertain only to the Valencia floods in 2024, and a separate analysis is needed to determine the impact of climate change on the recent floods in Catalonia.
