Rubbish build up after Spanish floods leads to rats and health issues

Parts of Spain recently flooded by deadly, devastating flash floods are now facing the build-up of rubbish as well as accompanying rats and health issues. 

The Valencian town of Alfafar had 83 underground rubbish bins flooded by the extreme weather. It has now replaced them with 600 surface bins, but the overall capacity for waste collection has been reduced by a third. 

Local authorities are calling for the organisation of military trucks to take rubbish from the areas affected to recycling and waste management plants. 

Though the plants are only 10km away, it currently takes lorries three hours to get there due to road congestion. 

The build-up of rubbish has created a public health problem which was then exacerbated by the proliferation of rats following the floods. 

Almost two weeks after the floods, rescue teams in Valencia are working against the clock to locate 32 people still missing. 

The search efforts are intensifying in coastal parts of the region after floodgates linking the rivers and the sea were opened to facilitate the search for missing persons, with local farmers helping to guide the emergency services. 

Over 220 were killed by the floods and thousands more lost their homes. Streets are still covered in mud and debris.