Spain's Valencia on red alert as region battered by heavy rain

Spain's Aemet weather agency warned of "extraordinary danger" in Tarragona (Catalonia), Castellón, and Valencia for Sunday afternoon and evening, and Monday, a warning echoed by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

As forecast, it rained heavily throughout Sunday night in the eastern region, with more than 80 litres per square metre failling in several parts of Valencia.

In the town of Aldaia, where the ravine has burst its banks, 57 litres per square metre fell in just 35 minutes.

Firefighters have already had to rescue several people trapped in their vehicles due to the massive downpour.

The adverse weather has so far caused four flight cancellations from Valencia Airport.

There are reports of delays on the region's rail network and numerous motorways being cut off by the water.

The northeastern city of Zaragoza was also hit by heavy rainfall throughout the night, which has flooded streets.

In the Tarragona town of Amposta in Catalonia, 246 litres of rain/sqm have fallen since Sunday.

Citing the Aemet weather alert, Spain's PM called on citizens to follow the instructions of the emergency services at all times.

Schools and colleges will stay closed in the city of Valencia itself on Monday, local officials announced, which also said public spaces would close for the day, including libraries, parks, gardens, markets and cemeteries.

City residents received a red alert on their phones Sunday afternoon warning of the severe weather.

Aemet has warned that Monday and Tuesday will be the "most adverse" days for the passage of Storm Gabrielle, the tail end of a hurricane that's died down after reaching the Iberian Peninsula. Monday's red weather alert in Valencia is set for midday.

Valencia is still reeling from the devastating flooding that killed 235 people last year and caused billions of euros in damage.

The flooding provoked by last October's torrential rain was exacerbated by the effects of climate change.

Local people have staged a series of protests since against what they allege was mismanagement of the crisis last year (the 11th protest this weekend), saying regional officials did not warn them in time despite a weather agency having issued an alert.

With additional reporting by Alex Dunham, The Local Spain's editor