Firefighters rescue several people from cars caught in floods in southern Catalonia

Firefighters have rescued several people from vehicles trapped in floods on the C-12 highway at the exit of the town of Xerta, in the southern Baix Ebre county.

These operations followed an ES-Alert issued by Civil Protection warning of intense rainfall in the area.

ES-Alert messages were also sent to mobile phones in Barcelona and the surrounding area, as well as Girona, to the north, as torrential rain is forecast until around 2am. 

Authorities urge people to exercise extreme caution when traveling and to stay away from areas prone to flooding.

In the event of an emergency, Civil Protection reminds the public to call 112.

Many roads in southern counties have been closed due to flooding or landslides. Firefighters warned that driving safely is "impossible" in some areas.

Between noon and 7pm, the 112 emergency line received 213 calls stemming from 162 rain-related incidents.