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SPAIN-WEATHER-FLOODING
250,000 pupils out of school as storm hits southeast Spain
MADRID, Sept 12, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Torrential rains hit southeastern Spain
overnight, sparking major flooding in the Valencia region and closing schools
in a move affecting a quarter of a million children, officials said Thursday.
They caused chaos on the roads, cutting public transport and prompting the
Clariano river to burst its banks, flooding homes and causing the evacuation
of surrounding areas, the emergency services said.
Footage shared by the local AVAMET weather service showed cars being swept
away in fast-flowing water in Moixent, and torrents of water engulfing the
nearby town of Ontinyent, which borders the Clariano and saw its heaviest
rainfall since records began in 1917, the agency said.
With the region on red alert, regional authorities said they had ordered
the closure of schools in 84 municipalities, affecting more than 255,000
pupils.
Torrential rain and high winds were continuing to batter southern Valencia
and northern Alicante and would likely continue into Friday, the national
AEMET weather service said.
BSS/AFP/RY/1516 hrs