Valencia: Spain’s most devastating floods in decades have claimed 205 lives as of Friday, prompting the government to deploy additional troops in a critical effort to find survivors amidst catastrophic damage. The disaster, which began on Tuesday, has ravaged towns across eastern Spain, tossing vehicles, collapsing infrastructure, and blanketing communities in mud.

In the eastern region of Valencia, emergency officials reported 202 confirmed fatalities, while three more deaths were recorded in the regions of Castilla-La Mancha and Andalusia. Rescuers, equipped with drones and sniffer dogs, continue to sift through debris and wade through floodwaters to locate the dozens still unaccounted for. An additional 500 troops have been deployed, joining the 1,200 personnel already aiding in search, rescue, and logistics efforts.

In Chiva, a town west of Valencia, Mayor Amparo Fort described scenes of piled-up vehicles, some potentially with trapped occupants. In eight hours on Tuesday, Valencia recorded an unprecedented 491 mm of rainfall—nearly the region’s average annual amount.

Desperation and Looting Amid Crisis

With many areas isolated and lacking essentials, reports of looting have surfaced. In Aldaia, residents were seen taking items from an abandoned supermarket, reflecting the strain on communities as people face shortages of water, food, and power. Government minister Angel Victor Torres vowed a strict response to looters, and police have already made 50 arrests related to theft from vehicles and a jewelry store.

The Valencia city courthouse has been temporarily converted into a morgue, while hundreds of volunteers armed with supplies are offering support to flood-affected communities. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez commended citizens for their solidarity, pledging continued government aid and support.

Extreme Weather Alerts and Climate Change Concerns

On Friday, national weather agency AEMET issued a high alert for additional rainfall in parts of Andalusia and maintained warnings for Valencia, Catalonia, and the Balearic Islands. Experts attribute the storm’s severity to the combination of cold air moving over the Mediterranean’s warm waters—a phenomenon made more intense by human-driven climate change, which is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events worldwide.

Spain’s government has urged residents to stay away from flood-affected areas to prevent further casualties and enable emergency services to access those in need. Hundreds remain without power or communications, with many sheltering in temporary accommodations as recovery efforts continue.