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The Valencia region is experiencing one of the worst natural disasters in its history. According to the latest figures, the most recent DANA (isolated low-altitude area) has claimed more than 230 lives, while more than 50 people are still missing and some victims have not yet been identified. The flood disaster has left a trail of devastation and left tens of thousands of people homeless. The Generalitat Valenciana has officially declared the region a disaster area and described the event as the „worst DANA of the century“.
Political reactions and debates
The disaster not only caused human tragedy, but also triggered a wave of political reactions. The Spanish government quickly provided an aid package totalling 300 million euros for reconstruction. President Pedro Sánchez emphasised that the funds would be released immediately to repair the infrastructure and support affected families.
At a press conference, the President of the Generalitat Valenciana, Carlos Mazón, called for a comprehensive review of the existing protective measures against extreme weather events. He emphasised that the precautions taken to date had not been sufficient to prevent a disaster of this magnitude. Mazón also criticised the slow response in the past and emphasised that more investment was needed in modernising the infrastructure. „We can no longer wait and see. Climate change is real and we need to be better prepared,“ said Mazón.
Criticism and demands for better prevention
Opposition parties accuse the government of not having invested enough in flood protection in the past. Voices have been raised, particularly from the Valencia region, that the infrastructure projects for water drainage and strengthening the dykes are long overdue. Isabel Díaz Ayuso, President of the Madrid region, called for a national debate on climate adaptation and proposed the establishment of a crisis fund for natural disasters.
Environmental organisations such as Greenpeace and the Federación de Ecologistas en Acción emphasise that the increase in such extreme weather events is a direct result of climate change. They are calling on the government to implement long-term solutions instead of short-term emergency measures. The debate about responsibility and future strategies to prevent such disasters is in full swing.
Relief fund and support for those affected
In the midst of the political discussions, the Spanish government has declared several days of national mourning and promised not to abandon those affected. The aid fund that has been set up is to be released quickly and unbureaucratically in order to speed up reconstruction in the worst-affected areas. The establishment of a national disaster prevention plan is also being discussed in order to be better prepared for such events in the future.
Travel warnings and alternative routes
Travellers currently travelling to the Valencia region are urgently requested to avoid the disaster area. Numerous roads are still closed or blocked due to clean-up work. The AP-7 motorway is currently the safest route to avoid affected regions. For up-to-date information on the traffic situation and diversions, travellers can visit the websites of the Generalitat Valenciana (www.gva.es) and the Spanish transport authority (www.dgt.es).
A long road to reconstruction
Despite the devastating destruction, the Valencia region has shown an impressive degree of solidarity. While the political debates on prevention and climate adaptation continue to intensify, the community remains united in its determination to rebuild the region and support those affected.