Spain floods latest: King Charles 'utterly heartbroken' as deaths rise; tragedy exposes 'criminal negligence'

We're pausing our live coverage for the day, but if you're just checking in, here is a recap of the key developments over the course of the morning and afternoon.

• King Charles wrote a letter to King Felipe of Spain offering his condolences for the "tragic loss of so many lives";
• Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced the largest army deployment in peacetime, sending 5,000 more soldiers to join 2,000 already on the ground and thousands of police officers;
• Volunteers gathered in their thousands to bus to areas in need of aid;
• The death toll rose to 211, with 4,800 rescues carried out;
• A record-breaking 179.2 litres per square metre (7.1 inches) of rain fell in Turis in one hour at the height of the storm, the State Meteorological Agency as said.

While pictures of cars being swept away have been spread widely on social media, town infrastructure has also been torn apart by the flooding.

Pictures taken by the Associated Press show roads broken in two and entire walls pulled from the side of homes.

Earlier today, Europe correspondent Adam Parsons reported on the lack of official help in Paiporta, one of the areas hit hardest by the flooding.

It was prompting fury among residents, who were trying to clear flooding from their homes with buckets and brooms.

Now the first military truck has arrived in the town.

"We haven't seen any police, we haven't seen any fire officers today.

"It's a really fractured response and a lot of the people in Paiporta are feeling angry."

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has said it makes no sense to play this weekend after the catastrophic floods.

Valencia versus Real Madrid, and Villarreal versus Rayo Vallecano are among several games postponed this weekend

"What is happening is very hard; it is very moving to see the people who went out on the streets to help, who with a shovel and their tools are trying to collaborate and that speaks very well of the country, of the people, and we want to help wherever we can," said Mr Simeone.

"There are people having a very hard time, it's very sad and they tell us to continue and here we are, continuing."

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick echoed his sentiments, calling for all sports to be suspended, including their game against Espanyol tomorrow.

"If it were me, I might do it [suspend sport] because it is an incredible tragedy for Valencia and Spain as a whole," the German coach said. 

"We have spoken with Ferran [Torres], who is from the area, and it is not easy to decide whether the game should be played or not. 

"For me it is a tragedy. It was something similar in Germany three years ago, it is horrible. We will do everything we can to help. The rest is for LaLiga to decide." 

Aerial footage captures the extent of the damage in one of the worst-hit areas, Paiporta. 

The town can be seen caked in mud left by a deluge of rain that swept away cars, flooded homes and tore down walls.

Days later, there are still hundreds of cars and other debris strewn across the landscape in Paiporta, Valencia.

"What we haven't seen are the police, the emergency services, government agencies or the military," said Europe correspondent Adam Parsons.

Residents are clearing up for themselves, desperately trying to get the water our of their homes by bucket and broom.

"The fact that they're not getting official help is leading to a growing sense of anger," said Parsons.

Watch his report from the town here... 

Approximately 1,800 businesses have been destroyed in the Valencia region, according to reports.

Radio station Cadena SER cited the Valencia Chamber of Commerce as saying another 4,500 have suffered damage.

Residents in a Valencia suburb say they have been left feeling "devastated" and "abandoned".

Picanya shop-owner Emilia, 74, said she cannot wash her clothes or shower.

"When is the help going to come to have fridges and washing machines?" she asked.

"We feel abandoned, there are many people who need help. It is not only my house, is all the houses and we are throwing away furniture, we are throwing away everything."

Nurse Maria Jose Gilabert, 52, who also lives in Picanya, disagreed, saying help was "coming from all over Spain".

But it will be a long time before the area becomes habitable again, she said.

"We are devastated because there is not much light to be seen here at the moment."

Thousands of volunteers, police, firefighters and soldiers have descended on towns in the Valencia region to aid the recovery effort.

It is the biggest peacetime disaster recovery operation Spain has ever seen.

Pictures taken by Associated Press photographers on the ground show the herculean task ahead of them.

The president of China has followed King Charles in sending a message of condolences to King Felipe of Spain.

Xi Jinping said he was "shocked to learn" that severe storms and floods had hit many places in Spain, causing numerous casualties and property damage, according to a statement by the Chinese embassy in Spain.

"The Chinese president, on behalf of the Chinese government and its people, expressed deep condolences to the victims and sincere sympathy to the bereaved families and the injured. 

"Xi also said he believes that under the leadership of the king and the Spanish government, people in flood-affected areas will be able to overcome this catastrophe and rebuild their homes as soon as possible."