Author: Leila Tariverdieva
The catastrophic flood that befell Valencia, Spain, shocked the whole world. On the night of October 29-30, Hurricane Dana hit this region of Spain, causing heavy rainfall and flooding a number of settlements. According to the latest data, the death toll as a result of the rampant disaster is approaching a hundred, and dozens are missing. The death toll is expected to rise. The water not only washed away roads and bridges, but also completely flooded the first floors of residential buildings in many places.
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Azerbaijan expressed condolences to Spain
According to Spanish media, the authorities of Valencia and other affected regions of Spain have introduced a “multiple casualties” procedure, which emphasizes the emergency of the situation and the need for a speedy response. The army is involved in the search for the missing – more than a thousand soldiers from the Emergency Management Unit (UME). Rescuers from all over the country have been sent to Valencia to search and rescue those who might be trapped under rubble or swept away by mudslides. The situation is particularly difficult in the cities of Paiporta and Letour. Valencia is one of the worst hit areas, but heavy rains were also recorded in other areas of the Valencian Community, as well as in the Castilian-La Mancha provinces of Albacete and Cuenca and the Andalusian provinces of Cadiz, Malaga and Seville.
The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) published a map showing the threat level in colors. Orange color means, according to the National Plan for Forecasting and Monitoring of Adverse Weather Events (Meteoalert), that the danger is serious. Red alert is the highest level available and means a forecast of at least 180 millimeters of precipitation in 12 hours or 90 in one hour. This color means extreme danger.
On the morning of October 29, the alert level on the northern coast of Valencia was raised to red. By 18:00, large parts of the province of Valencia were already under red notices.
Flash floods in eastern Spain have washed away cars, turned city streets into rivers, cut train tracks and highways and killed at least 95 people. The storm, which began on Tuesday and continued into Wednesday, caused flooding across a wide area of southern and eastern Spain, from Malaga to Valencia. As the mayor of the Valencian city of Utiel told television reporters: “Yesterday was the worst day of my life.”
Spanish meteorologists estimate the rainfall in parts of Valencia to be unprecedented. Spain has experienced serious autumn storms in recent years, but none compare to the events of the last two days. The current flood can only be compared with
By the morning of Wednesday, October 30, the rain in Valencia had subsided. However, the storms are expected to continue until Thursday, according to the Spanish Meteorological Agency. The scale of the disaster became especially clear after the water level began to drop. Almost half a meter of mud mixed with garbage made the streets unrecognizable. Valencia regional president Carlos Mason urged people to stay at home to avoid complicating rescue efforts as travel on roads was already hampered by fallen trees and wrecked vehicles, Spanish media reported. Downed power lines left some areas without power and telephone lines were overwhelmed by the volume of calls, Mason said.
As always happens after such disasters, in Spain they are looking for those responsible for the fact that the country was not prepared for a natural disaster. Citizens accuse the relevant services of warning about the danger when many populated areas were already flooded. Climatologists disagree with the accusation, arguing that Spain’s meteorological service clearly warned people that they should stay at home so as not to put their lives in danger, but they did not heed the red warning and continued to live their lives as usual.
There is another issue that has resurfaced in the Spanish media since the incident. The issue of the abolition of the UVE emergency service by the Valencian authorities has come up again. Citizens accuse the authorities of saving on the rescue service, which caused the delay in rescuing people. The fact is that UVE was created by left-wing politicians who were in power in Valencia until the last elections. Having won the elections last year, the new government immediately abolished the rescue service, believing that there was no benefit from it, and the expenses for it were enormous. Today, the head of the province, Carlos Mason, has to justify himself, claiming that the UVE was just a fiction.
The head of Valencia is also accused of promising that the rains would ease by Tuesday evening, but his forecast did not come true – by night the water was already flooding the cities and villages. The official, of course, is not a meteorologist to give accurate weather forecasts. Experts argue that the situation was unprecedented, and due to its extraordinary nature, it was difficult to give people timely recommendations. Currently, the relevant services are doing everything necessary to rescue people and search for missing people.
Government President Pedro Sánchez announced the convening of a crisis committee to monitor the situation. King Felipe VI of Spain said he was devastated to learn of the incident and offered his condolences to the families and loved ones of the disaster victims. The king addressed citizens from Gran Canaria, where he is observing air defense exercises, saying: “There are still difficulties with access to some places, so we do not have complete information about the scale and potential casualties. I am reassured that all possible means provided to the authorities and the Ministry of Emergency Situations. Everyone is working and it is important to let them work harmoniously and so that they do not have any restrictions.” Philip VI asked not to lower vigilance in the face of the possibility of repeated heavy rains and assured that he was in contact with the Prime Minister, the affected communities and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Residents of the affected cities and other provinces of Spain, shocked by the terrible events, believe that condolences from the authorities alone are not enough. This can be judged by comments on social networks. Ordinary Spaniards write with both understanding and indignation.
“The main thing is not condolences, the main thing is to bring the army to Valencia right now…. Because in my city I only see neighbors cleaning up dirt and garbage. My God, why do we have an army!! ARMY - on the street, now!”
“My city is destroyed, everyone is out of cars, furniture, floors are destroyed. Your WORDS are useless. What are you going to DO? What are you GIVING us?”
Meanwhile, environmentalists, in connection with the tragedy that unfolded in Spain, once again persistently remind us of the need for urgent action to combat climate change. Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent in Europe due to climate change, according to scientists. Meteorologists believe a warming Mediterranean region, which increases water evaporation, plays a key role in the increase in heavy rainfall.
The terrible tragedy that befell Valencia shows that climate change is not an abstract concept, but a reality that is already claiming lives.
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Climate Expert
Time.news Editor (TNE): Good morning, Dr. Alvarez! Thank you for joining us today. I know discussions around natural disasters can be distressing, but your insights will certainly shed light on the recent catastrophic flood in Valencia, Spain.
Dr. Maria Alvarez (MA): Good morning! Thank you for having me. It’s indeed a tragic situation, and I appreciate the opportunity to discuss the underlying issues.
TNE: To start, could you summarize the key factors that led to the catastrophic flooding in Valencia after Hurricane Dana hit?
MA: Absolutely. The flooding in Valencia can largely be attributed to extreme weather patterns associated with climate change, compounded by urban planning challenges. The heavy rainfall during Hurricane Dana resulted in unprecedented precipitation levels, leading to flash floods that overwhelmed the region’s drainage systems. As noted, some areas recorded nearly 180 millimeters of rain in just a few hours—this is beyond typical thresholds.
TNE: That certainly puts things into perspective. According to the reports, there were warnings issued prior to the flood. Why do you think these warnings were not heeded by many residents?
MA: It’s a complex issue. While the meteorological services did issue red alerts, which signify extreme danger, human behavior in the face of disaster often varies. People tend to underestimate predictions, especially when daily routines continue normally. In a moment of crisis, panic can lead to poor decision-making. It’s crucial that communities are continuously educated about the importance of adhering to weather warnings.
TNE: The issue of emergency services’ preparedness has also arisen, especially with the recent abolition of the UVE emergency service by local authorities. How critical is it for regions like Valencia to have robust emergency services in place?
MA: Having a strong emergency response framework is essential, particularly in areas prone to natural disasters. The UVE service was a critical resource for immediate response. Its removal potentially delayed vital rescue efforts, as seen in this disaster. Investment in emergency services should be prioritized, not viewed as expendable, especially as extreme weather events become more frequent due to climate change.
TNE: Many citizens are seeking accountability for the perceived slow response from the authorities. Do you think this is warranted?
MA: It’s understandable that citizens seek accountability in times of crisis, particularly when loss of life is involved. However, it’s also important to recognize that unprecedented situations can overwhelm even the best-laid plans and systems. Authorities must learn from such events and adapt their strategies moving forward, but judging their actions in the heat of the moment can be difficult.
TNE: Speaking of the aftermath, as the water levels have begun to recede, the residents have reported significant debris and destruction. What are the immediate steps that should be taken to aid recovery?
MA: Recovery efforts must prioritize both immediate relief and long-term restoration. First, search and rescue operations should continue to ensure all individuals are accounted for. Next, the focus should shift to clearing debris and providing medical assistance as necessary. An equally vital step is to engage in community discussions about rebuilding, ensuring infrastructure is more resilient to future weather events.
TNE: As a climatologist, what do you see as the future challenges for regions like Valencia with regard to climate change?
MA: Regions like Valencia face significant challenges. With climate change expected to bring more intense storms and irregular rainfall patterns, cities must invest in improved infrastructure capable of handling such events. This means enhancing drainage systems and modifying urban planning practices to limit flood risks. Public education on emergency preparedness will also be key in minimizing future impacts.
TNE: Thank you, Dr. Alvarez. Your insights have been incredibly valuable during this difficult time. It’s crucial for communities to understand the importance of preparation and resilience.
MA: Thank you for the opportunity to discuss these vital issues. My thoughts are with all those affected by the flooding in Valencia. It’s a somber reminder of the urgent need to address climate change and its impacts at all levels.
TNE: Indeed. Thank you for joining us today, and let’s hope for a swift recovery for everyone in Valencia.