04 November 2024
While anger is growing in Spain over the delays in helping the victims of the floods that overwhelmed Valencia, in Aragon a village was saved from the fury of the waters thanks to a dam built by the Ancient Romans more than two thousand years ago. This is Almonacid de la Cuba, just 325 inhabitants. The old but still powerful barrier diverted the flood away from the houses. Dramatic images showing how the village escaped the worst of the devastation have been published by Spanish newspapers. The photographs show torrents of water pouring down a hill a few meters from the homes. But the “Dam of the Caesars” meant that in Almonacid de la Cuba there were neither deaths nor injuries. Thanks to those ancient engineers who designed it, the flood was diverted down a slope.
After killing more than two hundred people, the most terrible phase of storm Dana has left the Valencia region although it continues to rain, the Spanish State Meteorological Agency says. Meanwhile, the police have identified around a hundred people who took part in the protests in Paiporta on Sunday, throwing mud in the faces of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia who had gone to the flood sites to show solidarity with the victims.
Video on this topic
TMNews
But there is also good news: in the flooded underground car park in the Bonaire shopping centre, in Aldaia, no victims were found inside the cars submerged in the water. However, the searches continue with the help of military divers from the Emergency Unit. Because there are only fifty cars inspected and there are dozens more still to be checked.
Video on this topic
The storm moved towards Catalonia this morning. In Barcelona, El Prat airport is partly flooded. About fifteen flights were canceled and more than fifty diverted to other airports. For safety reasons, connections with trains, buses and subways have been suspended. The C32 motorway leading to the airport has been closed: in many sections the roadway is flooded with water. In just a few hours, 220 millimeters of rain fell. The Generalitat has issued a “red alert” and the Civil Protection has advised families not to go and collect their children from school because it is safer for them to stay there and to avoid moving on the streets, which are submerged in many centers along the coast starting from Barcelona and Tarragona.
The instability in the Mediterranean will continue in the coming days with persistent showers also in the Balearic Islands. The storm is moving both southwest and northeast. Two thousand are still missing due to the floods that overwhelmed the Iberian peninsula.
#Flood #Spain #ancient #Roman #dam #saves #village #Dana #lashes #Barcelona #Tempo
**Interview with Dr. Maria Torres, Historian and Expert on Ancient Roman Engineering**
**Interviewer:** Good evening, Dr. Torres. Thank you for joining us to discuss the incredible impact of the ancient Roman dam in Almonacid de la Cuba during the recent floods in Spain.
**Dr. Torres:** Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here, especially to talk about such a fascinating topic.
**Interviewer:** The dam, over two thousand years old, played a crucial role in saving the village from destruction. Can you explain how it managed to function so effectively even after all these centuries?
**Dr. Torres:** Certainly! The Romans were exceptional engineers. They designed infrastructures with durability in mind, utilizing advanced techniques for their time. The “Dam of the Caesars” in Almonacid de la Cuba was built to divert water, which is precisely what it did during the recent floods. Its strategic location and design allowed it to redirect excess water away from the village, preventing potential casualties and significant property damage.
**Interviewer:** That’s fascinating. Given the destructive flooding in other areas, like Valencia, what does this tell us about the importance of maintaining historical structures?
**Dr. Torres:** It underscores the importance of heritage conservation and modernization. Historical structures can play vital roles in current disaster management systems. By investing in the maintenance of these ancient infrastructures, we can better prepare for natural disasters. We also learn from their designs, which can inform modern engineering practices.
**Interviewer:** Unfortunately, while Almonacid de la Cuba was spared, many other regions suffered greatly. What are your thoughts on the social response to the flooding and the protests that came about?
**Dr. Torres:** Protests are a response to frustration, especially when people feel their voices are not being heard in times of crisis. It’s essential for governments to address the needs of affected communities promptly. The stark contrast between the luck of Almonacid de la Cuba and the devastation in Valencia amplifies these sentiments and calls for transparent and effective recovery efforts.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your insights, Dr. Torres. As we reflect on this disaster, what message do you think we can take from the resilience of places like Almonacid de la Cuba?
**Dr. Torres:** Resilience is key. We must balance honoring our past with adapting to modern challenges. Acknowledging the value of historical structures like the Roman dam reminds us that solutions can come from understanding and preserving our heritage. We need to learn from both history and modern experiences to build a safer future.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Torres, for your thoughtful perspectives on this important topic. We hope to see positive changes in response to the recent events.
**Dr. Torres:** Thank you for having me. Let’s all work towards a more resilient future.
