Heavy rain in Spain kills one

A 40-year-old man lost his life as torrential rain affected the east and south-east coast of Spain on Monday, closing roads and forcing the closure of schools and colleges.

The man's body was found in a swimming pool in the town of Los Alcazares in the province of Murcia.

He was swept away by the torrent caused by the rain and fell into the swimming pool from which he was unable to escape as the center of the town of 16,000 inhabitants was completely flooded.

River Segura burst its banks at several places close to the town of Orihuela, close to Alicante, and schools had to be closed in more than 200 towns and villages in the region.

Roads in the region were cut by flood waters, with 19 A-roads confirmed to be closed to traffic and over 350 people rescued from their homes.

Interior Minister Juan Ignacio Zoido has confirmed that members of Spain's Military Emergency Unit (UME) have been sent to help, with around 1,000 soldiers involved in the ongoing rescue operation.

Meanwhile parts of the region are still on red alert, as Spanish meteorological agency AEMET has forecasted more rains to batter Alicante and Valencia.
 [Xinhua/china]
20/12/16