In south-eastern Spain, an unprecedented disaster struck the Valencia region, killing 158 people and raising many questions about climate risk management.
A deluge of rare intensity
October 31, 2024 will live long in the memory. In just a few hours, a year's worth of rain fell on the region. In Chiva, near Valencia, 491 liters of water fell per square meter, causing devastating torrents of mud.
Experts such as Jorge Olcina, climatologist at the University of Alicante, see it as a dramatic example of global warming. The meteorological phenomenon, a "cold drop", had effects comparable to those of a hurricane.
Aggravating factors
Several factors contributed to the scale of the disaster:
- Waterproof floors After two years of intense drought, the soil was unable to absorb the rainfall, amplifying the runoff.
- Massive urbanization The Valencia region, densely populated with 1.87 million inhabitants, has many concreted areas, reducing the natural surface area.
- Timing Fatal : The flooding occurred around 8pm, during rush hour, trapping many motorists.
Crisis management failures
The authorities are to blame. Although the meteorological agency (Aemet) issued a red alert as early as Tuesday morning, the Civil Protection message was not sent out until after 8pm.
Pablo Aznar, researcher at the Socio-Economic Observatory of Flooding, points to an inadequate "risk culture". Many residents, accustomed to warnings, failed to appreciate the seriousness of the situation.
In the face of this tragedy, experts are calling for a complete overhaul of risk prevention:
- Improvingeducation to risk in schools
- Rethinking urbanization
- Strengthening warning systems
These floods, the deadliest since 1973 in Spain, are a stark reminder of the climate emergency.
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