More than 200 deaths in Spain's floods..."The authorities' belated response is increasing damage."

More than 200 people have been killed by floods that swept through the town of southern Valencia in eastern Spain, foreign media reported.

The Associated Press said the Spanish government killed at least 205 people in the floods, including 202 in Valencia.

Some areas are expected to see more deaths due to electricity, tap water and communication disconnection.

In addition, 50 people were arrested by police while looting in cars and shops in some flood-hit areas.

Residents of the affected area criticized the authorities for their belated warning and incompetent response, which led to massive casualties.

Residents of the city of Faiporta, where more than 60 people have been killed, were furious, saying, "There was no warning to people not to get in the car or anything."

Madrid's central government also said local authorities were responsible for analyzing the risk and determining the level of emergency.

In response, Governor Mason countered that he and officials were not meteorologists, saying they had "followed protocols standardized and coordinated by the central government."

The World Meteorological Organization stressed at a regular U.N. briefing that an effective early warning system is needed to prevent damage such as the Spanish deluge.