Catalonia offers assistance as flash floods in Valencia kill at least 150

At least 150 people have died in Valencia after severe flash floods swept through the region.

The floods, which also affected Castilla-La Mancha and Andalusia, brought torrential rains of up to 400 liters per square meter. 

There are two victims in Castilla-La Mancha and one person have died in Málaga, Andalusia. 40 of the victims in Valencia are in the town of Paiporta. 

Catalan president Salvador Illa expressed his "solidarity and condolences" to the victims and called the scenes of destruction "deeply moving."

The Catalan government has offered "all available resources" to support emergency efforts in the affected regions ensuring that he is still in contact with the autonomous presidents of each region.

A unit of the Catalan Emergency Service with health personnel and firefighters has been dispatched to help in the rescue efforts.

A medical helicopter, a team of emergency psychologists, water boats and drones with heat cameras have also been dispatched.

In response to the tragic events, the Catalan parliament has suspended its session until next week.

The speakers of the parliament will meet throughout the morning to issue an official declaration of solidarity with the affected communities.

Salvador Illa has canceled all public events scheduled for today in light of the ongoing crisis. 

The president has also set up a technical committee to monitor the effects of the storm Dana, which will affect Catalonia today, especially in the south, with less intensity. 

Heavy rains expected in Catalonia

Storm Dana will reach Catalonia today, but with less intensity.

It will be felt mainly in southern Catalonia, but could reach some points in the regions of Tarragona and Barcelona.

On a speech on Wednesday afternoon in Palau de la Generalitat, Salvador Illa has made a call to "avoid situations of risk" and to "unite the efforts to coordinate the responses" to the consequences that may result in Catalonia. 

The Catalan weather service has issued a severe weather alert for Barcelona and its metropolitan area, the highest level.

There is a possibility of hail, strong winds and even tornadoes. The alert is in effect from 12pm to 1pm, affecting the regions of Baix Llobregat, Garraf, Barcelonès, Vallès Occidental and Alt Penedès.

The city council has activated an emergency alert due to the bad state of the sea, with waves of more than 2.5 meters expected.

It is recommended to avoid going near the beaches, which are closed. 

In Alcanar, southern Catalonia, where the storm is expected to hit this afternoon, emergency services are working intensively to prepare the area to avoid incidents.

Schools will be closed in the afternoon and areas that are likely to be flooded will be closed.

The mayor, Joan Roig, admitted that they are afraid and "constantly looking at the sky."

Trains suspended

The train service between Barcelona and Valencia has been suspended until further notice, depending on the evolution of the storm. 

The Rodalies commuter trains that run around Valencia have also been suspended, as well as the trains that connect Catalonia to the region.

The high-speed trains between Valencia and Madrid have also been suspended.