Unforeseen weather turmoil in Catalonia leads to the disappearance of two individuals
In Catalonia, Spain, the search continues for two individuals who went missing on July 12, 2025, after being swept away by floodwaters in the coastal town of Cubelles, located approximately 50 kilometers southwest of Barcelona [1][2][3]. The incident occurred as a result of intense storms that hit the region, causing the Foix river to overflow due to the release of water from the Foix reservoir following excessive accumulation during the storms.
The storms were caused by a DANA (a high-level isolated depression) weather system, leading to torrential rains with about 10 centimeters (approximately four inches) of rainfall within a few hours near Barcelona [1][2][4]. This intense precipitation resulted in flooding, disruption of train services across the region, road closures, and damage, including a plane at Barcelona airport being forced to turn back after sustaining hail damage. The Catalan Weather Service issued a very high-risk warning (levels 5 and 6), the maximum alert level, during the event, emphasising the severity of the rainstorm [2].
While not explicitly stated in the reports, climate change is a major factor in increasing the intensity and frequency of such extreme weather events globally and in Spain. Warmer global temperatures increase the atmosphere's capacity to hold moisture, which can lead to heavier rainfall events and more severe flooding [5]. Additionally, climate change can influence the formation and behavior of weather patterns such as DANA phenomena, leading to increased risk of flash floods and storms in vulnerable regions like Catalonia.
The storms did not result in any new reports of serious injuries, but rescue services treated more than 70 people. A hospital in Barcelona could not accept new patients due to a power outage caused by the storms [1][2]. Train traffic was disrupted throughout Catalonia for several hours due to the storms, and many streets in Barcelona were closed and public parks were shut down [6].
The eastern province of Valencia was also affected, where torrential rain last October caused devastating floods that resulted in the deaths of 225 people, making it the worst such disaster in Spain in decades [7]. The ongoing storms in Catalonia and other regions are likely exacerbated by climate change, as the atmosphere can hold more moisture, leading to heavier rainfall.
Emergency services are actively conducting search operations using underwater units and a helicopter to locate the missing individuals [1][2][3]. As the search continues, our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those affected by these tragic events.
References: [1] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61838820 [2] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/13/two-people-missing-after-storms-hit-catalonia-and-barcelona [3] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/storms-hit-catalonia-and-barcelona-spain-2025-07-12/ [4] https://www.catalannews.cat/english/article/barcelona-airport-closes-runway-after-hailstorm-damage [5] https://www.climatecentral.org/news/climate-change-intensifies-extreme-rainfall-events-19802019 [6] https://www.catalannews.cat/english/article/many-streets-in-barcelona-closed-and-public-parks-shut-down-due-to-storms [7] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/27/spain-floods-death-toll-rises-to-225-as-rescue-workers-search-for-missing-people
- The storms in Catalonia, driven by the DANA weather system, are indicative of the increased intensity and frequency of such events that are linked to climate change and environmental science.
- Emergency services are employing various strategies, such as underwater units and helicopters, in the ongoing community policy efforts to locate the missing individuals, showing the severe impact weather-forecasting failures can have.
- Climate-change discussions are vital, especially considering the storms in Catalonia, as they highlight the potential consequences of weather events on employment, where, for example, disrupted train services can lead to job disruptions across the region.
