UTIEL, Spain, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- In the town of Utiel in Spain's Valencia region, a thick layer of mud covers the streets and alleys left behind by recent devastating floods. Amid the mud and debris, local residents and rescue workers, soaked and weary, are hard at work.

Together, they sweep the streets, clear out shops, and repair their damaged homes, contributing to their community's slow but determined recovery.

The region has just experienced its worst flooding in decades due to unrelenting rainfall. By the time Xinhua reporters arrived in Valencia on Saturday, the floodwaters had receded in most towns. In heavily affected Utiel, they observed vehicles parked in an open lot near a gas station where a local restaurant offered a brief respite to those exhausted by the cleanup.

Jorge, a local resident, vividly recalled the chaos when the flood struck. "Although we received warnings on Tuesday, hardly anyone took it seriously - only the schools announced closures in time," he told Xinhua. "The rain was too heavy; it poured into the rivers, and quickly caused surging floods that engulfed entire streets and homes."

In a televised address on Tuesday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called this flood the second deadliest in Europe this century. As for Sunday, the tragic toll of fatalities has increased to 217, with many remain missing.

According to the Sunday forecast of Spain's State Meteorological Agency, heavy rains were expected in in Alicante and Altea, progressing northward and impacting the entire coastline and pre-coastal areas. National and local governments have taken precautious measures. Prime Minister Sanchez on Saturday ordered 10,000 more troops, police officers and civil guards to the impacted area.

Back in Utiel's town center, water tankers steadily wash the streets, while locals use brooms and shovels to clear the mud. Santiago, a resident scrubbing a street sign, told Xinhua that the flood had severely impacted his life, damaging his car and property. Yet, like many others, he was undeterred in joining the efforts to restore his hometown.

Next to Santiago's home is a small shop where Ines, a Swiss resident with roots in Spain, rinsed mud-caked bottles of wine in front of the store. With a playful smile, she offered to Xinhua reporters, "Freshly 'dug-up' Spanish wine! Want a bottle?"

Ines had flown in from Switzerland upon hearing about the disaster to help friends salvage their shop and wine cellar. "I might not be able to do much alone, but there are thousands of people in my hometown, and we are all working together."

Eva, who came from Madrid, set up a small stand in the town center, offering bottled water, pastries, and other supplies she had brought, along with donations from her community. Though Eva had to return to Madrid by Sunday evening, she told Xinhua that she felt confident that others would step in to continue her efforts.

As the sun set, casting a warm glow over the town, neighbors and volunteers exchanged smiles and jokes, finding brief moments of lightness in the midst of the hardship.

At the riverbank, a group of volunteers gathered, singing a cheerful birthday song. The song was for Maria, a fellow volunteer who, still covered in mud, shared a few words with the reporters: "Helping people get back to their homes as quickly as possible is the best birthday gift I could receive." Enditem

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