MADRID, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Winds gusting at over 100 kilometers per hour have caused injuries, structural damage and transport disruptions in the northeastern Spanish region of Catalonia.
The strong winds, brought by Storm Nils, are the latest in a series of extreme weather events affecting Spain since the beginning of the year. Catalonia was placed on red alert, with schools and colleges closed as a precaution.
By midday Thursday, nearly 100 flights had been canceled at Barcelona's El Prat Airport, while dozens of incoming flights were diverted to other airports.
Rail services operated at reduced speeds due to the high winds. A gust of 148 km/h was recorded farther south along the east coast in Alicante.
Spanish National Radio reported that at least 20 people required medical treatment after being struck by wind-blown debris. In one incident, a vehicle was blown off the road.
Coastal areas were placed on alert for waves of up to 10 meters. The storm uprooted trees, damaged street infrastructure and destroyed outdoor terraces in and around Barcelona.
Meanwhile, nearly 4,000 people in southern Spain remained unable to return to their homes after being evacuated over the weekend, when torrential rain triggered widespread flooding. Several rivers burst their banks, and authorities warned of an increased risk of landslides due to saturated ground.
