Given the recent weather forecasts made in recent days, eleven spanish provinces The alerts issued by the provinces of Cádiz, Málaga, Valencia, and Tarragona have been issued due to heavy rains and storms affecting various regions of the country. Particularly intense storms have been reported in the provinces of Cádiz, Málaga, Valencia, and Tarragona. All warnings issued are at a "yellow" level, indicating a risk of very heavy rain. However, the alerts for Cádiz, Málaga, Tarragona, and Valencia have been raised to an "orange" level, indicating a greater risk to the population.
In Cadiz, heavy rains have significantly hampered traffic on many roads. The resulting flooding has caused significant damage, forcing the closure of several roads in the region's road network. The intensity of these rainfalls can be compared to historical rainfalls that cause serious floods in Valencia.
A tragic event occurred in Conil de la Frontera (Cádiz), where a 54-year-old man was found passed away after becoming trapped in the tractor he was working on. This incident took place on a farm, and according to statements by the mayor of Conil, Juan Bermúdez, this event is unrelated to the flooding occurring in the municipality.
In addition, a woman is found missing after the vehicle she was traveling in was swept away by floodwaters. The woman was traveling from Sant Llorenç d'Hortons, Barcelona, and the heavy rains caused flooding that swept away numerous cars. Fortunately, a man who was with her managed to escape from the vehicle after it hit a tree; he was able to grab onto a branch and escape through the window.
Numerous security and emergency personnel are actively participating in the search for this woman. Among them are firefighters, a helicopter, members of the special mountain operations group, underwater operations, and the Canine Search Group, as well as Mossos d'Esquadra officers, rural police officers, and civil protection volunteers.
Meanwhile, in Vejer (Cádiz), hundreds of people have been isolated as a result of the floods. Security and emergency services have struggled to operate normally, leading to the decision to open the municipal sports center as a shelter for families who have been evacuated from their homes. This situation has highlighted the urgent need for measures in light of Spain's vulnerability to climate change, as detailed in climate change adaptation measures.
In the Murcia region, one of the firefighters rescued a man whose vehicle was trapped on the road, highlighting the seriousness of the situation facing many people in these areas.
As the rains continue, the situation in several autonomous communities remains critical. State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has issued alerts covering areas such as Andalusia, Castile and León, Castile-La Mancha, Extremadura, the Region of Murcia, and the Valencian Community. In these regions, the provinces of Ávila, Salamanca, and Cáceres are warning of rainfall that could reach 40 liters per square meter within a 12 hour period.
In Andalusia, the provinces of Cadiz, Cordoba, Granada, Jaen, Malaga and Seville maintain alerts for rain that can accumulate up to 15 liters in just one hour, or 40 liters in 12 hours. Particularly in Almería, Cádiz, Málaga, Granada and Jaén, alerts are also being recorded for strong winds and rough sea conditions, with waves that can reach up to Meters 4.
The situation in Cádiz, Córdoba, and Seville is even more alarming, as the rainfall could be accompanied by storms. Meanwhile, in Castilla-La Mancha, only the province of Albacete is under a yellow warning due to wind gusts that could reach 70 km/h. Similarly, the region of Murcia and the province of Alicante are also on alert for southwesterly winds of up to 60 km/h and waves of between 2 and 3 meters.
In addition to the material damage, these intense rains have resulted in human tragedies. In the case of the recent DANA, a significant number of injuries and missing persons have been reported. The torrential rains are estimated to have caused the deaths of at least 220 individuals, a figure that could increase as search efforts continue on streets and roads that remain blocked by water and mud.
The humanitarian catastrophe is considered one of the worst in Spain since 1962, when floods in the Vallés region of Catalonia caused the deaths of approximately XNUMX people. Experts such as José Ángel Núñez, head of Climatology at AEMET in Valencia, and Jorge Olcina, a climatologist at the University of Alicante, warn that situations like this should not occur in a developed country with sufficient resources to prevent such disasters.
The reasons behind the magnitude of this tragedy are multiple. First, the exceptional rainfall recorded exceeds historical levels in the country. In the province of Valencia, for example, up to 500 liters of water per square meter, a figure that demonstrates the severity of the meteorological phenomenon. To better understand how to respond to this type of extreme event, you can consult the section related to .
"The rainfall rapidly saturated the soil, generating flash floods in streams, riverbeds, and gullies," says José María Bodoque, a researcher specializing in flood risk assessment at the University of Castilla-La Mancha. The speed with which these floods occurred significantly limited the response time of emergency services.
Another factor that contributed to this tragedy is a lack of foresight. Despite the fact that AEMET raised its alert level to the highest category, the authorities failed to take exceptional measures. The warnings were issued too late, and by the time Civil Protection sent alert messages to the population, water had already begun to overflow in several areas, trapping many people. It is crucial that these measures be taken. appropriate measures to address these extreme situations.
The lack of evacuation and safety measures left the population exposed, resulting in numerous fatalities. While there is debate about who is responsible for the government's lack of response, experts believe the situation has revealed flaws in Spain's autonomous state model, which is ill-suited to emergencies of this magnitude. This is especially true in the context of climate change, where such events are expected to become more frequent, as mentioned in massive flooding in Europe.
Uncontrolled urban development along the Mediterranean coast has been another factor amplifying the damage. According to reports, construction in flood-prone areas, coupled with accelerated population growth, has increased the population's exposure and vulnerability. In towns like Chiva, entire neighborhoods have been built in flood zones, despite warnings about the dangers involved. The issue of uncontrolled urban development is one of the problems that will be addressed in the Spain's fight against climate change.
Climate change also plays a fundamental role in the intensity and frequency of these phenomena. Isolated high-level depressions, typically known as DANA, are becoming more severe due to rising temperatures in the Mediterranean Ocean, which contributes to the formation of denser clouds and more rain, according to climatologist Olcina.
As the next few days progress, the DANA is expected to continue weakening, but alerts remain in effect. The public should pay attention to the information provided by AEMET and follow the authorities' recommendations to stay safe.
The situation in regions such as Andalusia and the Valencian Community is critical, and significant efforts are being made by emergency services and the Spanish military to mitigate the impact. However, recovery will take time and will require a thorough review of the country's urban planning and emergency management policies. For a more in-depth analysis of the situation, see the future of these policiesIt is advisable to review the floods and their future impact in Spain.
The population is still dealing with the consequences of these devastating rains, so it is essential that search efforts continue and humanitarian aid is offered to those affected. The solidarity among citizens has been evident, as many have decided to approach on foot to donate food supplies and help those who have lost their belongings.
Despite the severe weather conditions, the community is uniting to cope with the situation, while authorities work to restore normalcy in the most affected areas. Constant weather monitoring and emergency preparedness are necessary steps for the safety and well-being of the population in the future, especially in a context where extreme rainfall events are becoming more common.
These extreme events underscore the importance of a rapid and effective response to emergency situations, as well as the urgent need to address climate change and its effects on vulnerable communities. The lessons learned from this tragedy should guide the development of more effective policies and the implementation of early warning systems to minimize future risks. The implementation of an adequate warning system is critical, as mentioned in .
It is imperative that society and authorities work together to prevent future disasters by strengthening infrastructure and improving urban planning in flood-prone areas, raising awareness about risk management, and ensuring that the population is well-informed and prepared to face any adverse weather events that may occur in the future.
