Flights were halted at Valencia airport in eastern Spain on Saturday after lightning and heavy flooding struck the runway following hours of torrential rain, airport officials said, IgbereTV reports
The storm which began late on Friday battered the eastern coastal region with high winds and heavy rain, with the downpour intensifying early on Saturday.
“Valencia airport’s runway is no longer operational after being hit by lightning. Repair work will start as soon as possible,” Spain’s airport operator AENA said on Twitter.
Spain’s air traffic control authority Enaire said all flights in and out of the airport had been suspended due to the storm.
“Heavy thunderstorms over Valencia airport have forced the suspension of all take-offs and landings,” it tweeted.
According to information posted by Valencia airport, at least nine incoming flights were diverted to alternative airports in Alicante, Barcelona, Ibiza and Madrid
