THE Spanish government will grant one-year residency and work permits to potentially 25,000 migrants affected by the catastrophic flash floods that hit the eastern part of the country last October.

The extraordinary measure, approved by the Spanish cabinet on Tuesday, is aimed at facilitating paperwork for those living “irregularly” in the dozens of towns affected by torrential rains, mainly in the region of Valencia.

The move is part of the government’s recovery and reconstruction plan after the October 29 disaster that killed 227 people and destroyed countless homes and businesses.