Image Source - Reuters
Disasters in the Spotlight
Hundreds of people remain missing while rescue teams are still scouting the areas for dozens, with the worst flooding seen in Spain in decades taking up to 200 lives - mostly in Valencia. More victims are feared to die as the toll is projected to rise.
The floods have destroyed bridges and submerged towns under layers of mud, cutting off communities from basic services, such as water, electricity, and supplies of food. Many residents say they became frustrated with what they call an ineffective response to the disasters and criticized local authorities for failing to issue timely warnings, which could have cost more lives.
Locals Share Their Frustrations
In Valencia, Aldaia, Juan González was talking to the BBC, regretting his loss. He states that the loss could have been prevented if the government had acted earlier. This is a place prone to flash floods, and unbelievable, no precautionary measures were taken
, he says. Augustin says his apartment was fully flooded. My family had to come live with my parents.
Southern Spain Faces New Challenges
Though the worst of the storm has passed in Valencia and down the Mediterranean coast, more heavy rain is expected along southern Spain. The city of Cartaya in Huelva region received its two months' rainfall during 10 hours. As a result, hundreds of families have been evacuated their homes in Jerez since river levels are rising.
Criticism of Emergency Response
The civil protection agency in Spain put out emergency alerts very late, around 20:00 local time, that is 19:00 GMT on Tuesday when flooding was already occurring in the majority of areas. That has caused public anger due to accusations that authorities take too long to respond to emergencies. Mireia, a resident of Valencia, said that most residents were caught off guard: People weren't prepared at all. They were trapped in their cars and drowned,
she said.
Volunteers Join the Rescue, Cleanup Operations
Thousands of volunteers have swarmed in to join military and emergency teams in rescue and clean-up operations. Valencia region president Carlos Mazon promised to send in more troops for the worst-hit areas. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has taken to social media to thank volunteers for their efforts, saying it's an "example of solidarity.".
Still, desperation is building in cities such as Paiporta, where over 60 bodies have been counted. Locals are complaining that the aid and resources needed to recover from the catastrophe are coming too slowly. One local pharmacist, Paco Clemente, said that there were not enough firefighters, and the shovels they needed to clean out the mud had yet to arrive.
Image Source - Reuters
A Storm Made in Heaven: Climate Change and Lack of Preparedness
One of the contributors is that most parts of eastern and southern Spain have recorded little rainfall during the whole year. Dry land could not absorb this unseasonable downpour. Global warming is also reported to have contributed to the catastrophe. The World Weather Attribution (WWA) noted that global warming had strengthened the heavy rainfall by 12% and made it two times more likely.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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