Rare blizzard brings heaviest snowfall since 1971; Army deployed
A rare blizzard, named Storm Filomena, blanketed large parts of Spain with snow and caused massive disruptions. The storm was so intense that it trapped thousands of people in their cars and more than 430 roads disrupted or shut down. Many were stranded on railway stations and the airport too as the snowfall ceased the transit and brought the whole country to a standstill.
More than half of Spain has activated Red Alert for the first time, as the State Meteorological agency (AEMET) has warned of more snowfall in the next 24 hours. Madrid is among the worst hit cities.
This is being cited as the worst storm since 1971 in Spain with more than 50 cm (20 inch) of snow fall in the capital city.
The military has been called in to help with the rescue operations, bringing in Covid-19 vaccine and food supplies to the areas cut down by the storm.
