Two dead as severe storms and heavy rain batter Spain’s Catalonia

BARCELONA — Two people died in Spain’s Catalonia region on Sunday as intense rain and storms battered parts of the country, prompting authorities to warn residents against unnecessary travel.“The intense rains are leaving us with a very complicated situation in Catalunya, especially in areas of Barcelona where two people have died as a result of the storm,” Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said.Sanchez expressed condolences to the victims’ families and friends and urged people to avoid unnecessary travel and follow instructions issued by authorities during the emergency.Catalan leader Salvador Illa also confirmed the deaths, warning that conditions remained difficult as heavy rain continued.“My condolences to their family. The situation continues to be complicated,” Illa said.Catalan emergency authorities said teams were working intensively to respond to incidents across the region.Officials raised particular concern over the Ridaura and Daro rivers in Girona, urging residents to stay away from affected areas.The severe weather comes amid warnings of torrential rain and potentially damaging flooding in eastern Spain as cold upper-level air moves over warmer air.