Southern Spain evacuates thousands as Storm Leonardo hits
The evacuations include all residents of the hilltop town of Grazalema in Cádiz province.
KATHMANDU: Authorities in southern Spain have evacuated between 3,000 and 5,000 people due to torrential rains brought by Storm Leonardo.
The evacuations include all residents of the hilltop town of Grazalema in Cádiz province.
The extraordinary downpours over the past several days have heightened the risk of flooding, landslides, and structural damage, prompting officials to order precautionary relocations.
Juanma Moreno, president of the Andalusia region, emphasized that the measure was taken as a precaution and urged residents to remain calm and follow the orderly evacuation process.
Rivers across Andalusia and neighboring Extremadura have overflowed, leading to school closures and widespread disruption.
Transportation services have been severely affected, with most train services suspended.
In Málaga province, rescue teams are searching for a woman swept away by floodwaters.
The extreme weather has also impacted neighboring Portugal, where authorities confirmed at least one fatality due to flooding.
