Just two weeks after Spain’s worst floods in modern history left over 200 dead, the state weather agency AEMET has issued an orange alert, warning of heavy rainfall expected in the same region on Wednesday.
According to Reuters, significant efforts were underway on Tuesday to clear mud and debris from sewage systems.
Thousands of workers have been clearing buildings, streets, and sidewalks of mud that blocked sewage systems and drains across Valencia’s suburbs. The emergency committee has urged municipalities and organizations to take preventive steps, including shutting down schools.
A general view of debris and sludge filled Barranco del Poyo ravine as it passes through the town of Catarroja, which was seriously affected due to severe flooding, in Valencia, Spain, November 11, 2024. REUTERS/Eva Manez
On Monday alone, 10,000 tons of waste—furniture, appliances, and clothing—were cleared, almost matching the annual waste disposal volume for Valencia. Valencian authorities have suspended classes and activities at recreational centers in the affected suburbs, advising volunteers helping with cleanup to avoid travel.
AEMET forecasts up to 120 mm of rain within 12 hours. Although the storm is not predicted to be as intense, it could still significantly impact towns that are still recovering from the previous one. Rosa Tauris, spokesperson for Valencia’s emergency committee, noted that the mud-covered ground and the compromised sewage systems can make the rain’s effects particularly severe.
AEMET’s alerts cover much of the Mediterranean coast, including Catalonia, Valencia, Andalusia, and the Balearic Islands.
A view shows muddy shoes of volunteers who went to clean up in flood-affected areas as Spanish students attend a nation-wide protest against the emergency response and management of the deadly floods in eastern Spain, and call for the resignation of Valencia’s regional leader Carlos Mazon in Valencia, Spain, November 12, 2024. REUTERS/Eva Manez TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
In the hard-hit town of Chiva, classes and sports activities were canceled, while in nearby Aldaia, workers stacked sandbags to shield against potential flooding. “We’re setting up sandbags to replace the floodgates destroyed by the previous floods,” municipal worker Antonio Ojeda told Reuters. Workers are also clearing ditches and drains filled with debris such as trees, tires, and car parts.
