It is the deadliest natural disaster in the history of Spain in living memory, the one caused by torrential rains brought by the meteorological phenomenon Dana. At least 158 deaths, of which 155 in the most affected region alone, that of Valencia. Rescue teams searched tirelessly for bodies stuck in submerged cars and flooded buildings. Eight people, including a policeman, were found lifeless: they were trapped in a garage in the La Torre neighborhood of Valencia. Other bodies were pulled from vehicles dragged by the current of mud and debris. Some took advantage of the chaos and destruction to loot shopping centers in the most affected areas, stealing luxury items, phones, PCs and branded perfumes. At least 39 people were arrested on charges of profiteering.
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Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has arrived for a visit to the region on its knees in Valencia. After meeting the governor Carlos Mazón and stopping at the Integrated Operational Coordination Center (Cecopi), the prime minister invited the inhabitants of Valencia and Castellon to stay at home “because the Dana continues”. “Right now the most important thing is to safeguard as many lives as possible”, he said, speaking at the end of his visit, “we are at the gates of a bridge that affects us emotionally because tomorrow is All Saints’ Day, stay at home and save lives.” Sanchez then assured that he had “mobilized a huge amount of resources and forces” for the affected areas: “The Spanish government is here, we will not leave the Valencian people alone.”
Meanwhile, the rain didn’t stop. Fearing a new sharp worsening, Spain’s state meteorological agency issued a red alert for the province of Castellon, in the Valencia region, which was later lifted in the afternoon. However, the orange alert remained in force for six communities in Andalusia, Aragon, Catalonia and the Valencian Community, while a yellow alert was issued for Castilla y León, Extremadura and Ceuta.
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While the counting of missing people and damage continued, controversy grew over the alleged delay of hours on the part of the institutions in warning the population of the danger of the Dana. Andreu Salom, mayor of the Valencian town of L’Alcudia, complained that he and the inhabitants of his town had not been warned of the risk of flooding of the Magro river which flows nearby. “I myself was going to check the river level because I had no information”, said Salom, “I went with the local police but we had to turn back because a tsunami of water, mud, reeds and dirt was already entering the city” . Juan Ramón Adsuara, mayor of Alfafar, also in the Valencia region, is also angry. “They have forgotten us. We haven’t seen a fire truck for days and there are people living with dead bodies in their houses,” he said in an interview, “we are organizing, but we are running out of everything.” The governor of the region, Carlos Mazón, said he had asked the army for help in providing logistical support and distributing aid to the population. But this did not save him from criticism. The Ministry of the Interior wanted to clarify that it was the region’s responsibility to send warning messages to the population, just as it was its responsibility to activate territorial civil protection plans for emergencies. Mazón attempted to defend himself, pointing out that “all our supervisors followed standard protocol.”
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**Interview with Dr. Elena Martinez, Meteorologist and Climate Specialist**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Martinez. Let’s talk about the recent DANA phenomenon that’s devastated Valencia, Spain. Can you explain what exactly DANA is and how it contributes to such catastrophic weather events?
**Dr. Martinez:** Absolutely, thank you for having me. DANA stands for “Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos,” which translates to an isolated depression at high levels. It’s essentially a weather system that forms when cold air at upper levels of the atmosphere interacts with warm, humid air closer to the surface. This interaction can lead to intense rain and storms, often resulting in severe flash flooding, as we’ve seen in Valencia.
**Editor:** The aftermath has been horrific, with reports of over 158 deaths and many missing. What specific conditions contributed to the severity of this event?
**Dr. Martinez:** The conditions in Valencia were particularly ripe for disaster. The region experienced prolonged heavy rainfall that overwhelmed drainage systems and rivers. Additionally, the topographical features of the area can exacerbate flooding; for instance, urban development often leads to increased runoff rather than absorption by the ground. It’s a combination of these factors that makes DANA so dangerous.
**Editor:** We also saw some alarming reports of looting amidst the chaos. What psychological and social issues can arise in such dire situations?
**Dr. Martinez:** Unfortunately, history has shown us that during disasters, some individuals may take advantage of the situation. The stress, fear, and loss of social order can sometimes lead to criminal behavior. It’s a tragic aspect of human nature when people are driven by desperation. In emergencies, it’s crucial for authorities to maintain public safety and order to prevent such actions from overshadowing the community’s resilience.
**Editor:** Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has mentioned mobilizing resources for the affected communities. From a meteorological perspective, what emergency measures should be put in place during such events?
**Dr. Martinez:** Early warning systems are essential. Implementing robust communication strategies about potential risks can save lives. Additionally, there should be established protocols for emergency evacuations and on-the-ground coordination with rescue teams. Education on preparedness and community response plays a critical role in mitigating the impacts of severe weather events like this.
**Editor:** Looking ahead, what can we expect in terms of weather patterns as climate change progresses? Should we anticipate more events like DANA?
**Dr. Martinez:** Indeed, climate change is altering weather patterns globally. We are likely to see an increase in the frequency and intensity of similar weather phenomena, including heavy rainfall events and flooding. It’s vital for governments and communities to adapt to these changes, improve infrastructure resilience, and enhance emergency response strategies for the future.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Martinez, for your insights on this pressing issue. Our thoughts go out to the communities affected by this disaster.
**Dr. Martinez:** Thank you for shedding light on this critical topic. It’s essential to keep the conversation going.