Welcome to this week’s news roundup: A look at what happened and what to expect in the days ahead.
Flood Response Protest
On Saturday, an estimated 130,000 people gathered to protest the government’s slow response to the recent flood disaster. Demonstrators called for the resignation of Generalitat President Carlos Mazón others also held Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez accountable for not acting quickly enough. The protest began peacefully, with elderly residents and families participating, but tensions rose towards the end. Some protesters threw mud and eggs at the Ayuntamiento building, leading to brief scuffles with riot police. For further analysis, Las Provincias details the protest and public reactions. It also has a good photo gallery from the demonstration.
Several local newspapers covered the mismanagement of the crisis, highlighting:
- Mazón’s Absence: Reports allege that during the crisis, President Mazón attended a lengthy lunch, ignoring urgent calls from his crisis team. Onda Cero has a good timeline breaking down the decision making process – or lack of – that day.
- Alert System Oversight: Minister of Justice and Interior, Salomé Pradas, admitted to not knowing about a mobile alert system before the floods, sparking widespread criticism. More on Cadena SER.
Transportation Updates
In flood-affected areas, transportation is slowly resuming with restrictions:
- For the latest updates on transportation, check @GVA112 on X.
- Roads: Travel is still restricted in flood affected areas. In Paiporta, for example, roads were closed over the weekend to allow heavy machinery to clear debris. See more on Valencia Plaza.
- Rail Services: The high-speed rail, C1, and C2 commuter trains aim to resume partial service by Wednesday, Nov. 13, with the A-7 Bypass expected to be operational by Thursday, Nov. 14. However, Spain’s Transport Minister, Oscar Puente, warns full service may not be restored until mid-December. More on Las Provincias.
- MetroValencia: Lines 4, 6, 8, and 10 are now operating, with temporary buses filling gaps. MetroValencia has released a provisional transit map
Weather Outlook
According to Aemet, more rain is on the way from Tuesday onwards, potentially bringing snow in the mountains and a drop in temperature. Authorities urge residents to stay alert for warnings as this DANA weather system—similar to the one that triggered recent floods—brings an unpredictable forecast, with possible rainfall between 60-100 liters per square meter. More on Las Provincias.
Other News Highlights
- Flood Damage Restoration: The Polytechnic University of Valencia and L’Etno Museum are working together to restore family photos damaged in the floods. Learn more on Valencia Plaza.
- Turia River’s Impact on Flooding: Las Provincias has published an in-depth look at the redirection of the Turia River, which protected Valencia’s city center but worsened flood conditions in L’Horta Sud. Experts are now debating whether another river redirection, like the original “Plan Sur,” is needed. Read the full feature.
- Urban Planning Debate: El Confidencial has an editorial calling for a metropolitan authority to coordinate urban planning to mitigate future flood risks in Valencia’s expanding urban areas. Explore the analysis.
Stay tuned for more updates on these ongoing issues.