The storm hits Spain, floods cities, cuts off electricity and rail services

ALCANAR, Spain, September 1 (Reuters) – An intense rainstorm on Wednesday wreaked havoc in several parts of Spain, causing severe flooding in some cities, leaving thousands without electricity and forcing the closure of some roads and links railways.

The storm, which gained strength due to high temperatures and humidity, especially affected the coastal city of Alcanar, in northeastern Catalonia.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez tweeted in solidarity with the affected areas while urging people to be extremely cautious and follow the advice of emergency services, as rains were expected to resume during the night.

Some streets in Alcanar quickly turned into torrents, with a powerful stream of water pushing cars, furniture and trees towards the coast. Emergency personnel rescued dozens of people trapped in vehicles, houses and camping facilities in the area, officials said.

About a dozen people were transferred to a sports venue capable of accommodating people while two hotels accommodated more than 20 people, according to a statement from the Catalan emergency service.

No fatalities were reported.

He added that three people were taken to a local hospital for mild symptoms of hypothermia.

About 5,000 homes in the area were left without electricity service, mobile communications were also affected while several tracks and rail links were disrupted.

Heavy rains and floods were also reported in the central regions of Castilla-La Mancha and Navarra, stopping the high-speed rail link between the Spanish capital Madrid and Toledo, the railway administrator said on Twitter.

Report by Joan Faus in Barcelona, ​​Eva Manez in Alcanar and Lorena Sopena in Amposta; Written by Joan Faus; Edited by Jonathan Oatis and Alistair Bell

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