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

The storm, which got stronger due to high temperatures and humidity, hit the coastal town of Alcanar in the northeastern region of Catalonia particularly hard.

Some streets have turned into torrents, with a powerful jet of water pushing cars, furniture and trees towards the coastline. Emergency personnel rescued dozens of people trapped in vehicles, homes and camping facilities, and a sports arena was set up to shelter those if needed, officials said.

No deaths have been reported.

Two people were treated for mild hypothermia, local emergency manager Ricard Exposito told a press briefing, adding that emergency services had received more than 350 calls in seven hours.

About 7,000 homes in the region lost electricity service while several roads and rail links were cut off.

Heavy rains and flooding were also reported in the central regions of Castilla-La Mancha and Navarre, interrupting the high-speed rail link between the Spanish capital Madrid and Toledo, tweeted rail administrator Adif.

Reporting by Joan Faus in Barcelona, ​​Eva Manez in Alcanar and Lorena Sopena in Amposta; Writing by Joan Faus; Editing by Jonathan Oatis

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