Good morning, Buenos Días, and Bon Dia!
Here’s what happened over the weekend in Valencia. The city is slowly recovering from the floods, with shopping and transportation services returning to normal. I’ll have a mid-week update on Thursday. Also, a post on events and happenings for next weekend—so check back for more.
Transport Updates
Public transport services are steadily resuming:
- Euromed Train Service: The Euromed connection to Alicante will be back in operation starting Monday. Read more at Valencia Plaza.
- Gandia Train Service: The train to Gandia is now fully restored, eliminating the need for bus transfers at Silla. Details at Levante-EMV.
- MetroBus Routes: Five MetroBus lines are now serving the flood-affected Horta Sud area. Check the schedules and routes here.
Shopping and Retail Recovery
Valencia’s major retailers are reopening, but progress is uneven:
- Ikea Alfafar is back in full operation as of Friday, after being closed for over a month. More at Valencia Plaza.
- Bonaire Shopping Center: Only three retailers have reopened, with the full reopening of the main shopping area delayed until early next year. Details from Las Provincias.
Flood Debris and Waste Management
Dealing with flood debris remains a challenge:
- Over a million tons of waste from the floods need to be recycled. Read Las Provincias’ report.
- On Sunday, a debris dump in Alberic caught fire, raising environmental concerns. More on this incident from À Punt.
Political Fallout
The floods have sparked significant political tensions:
- Relatives of flood victims submitted a petition with 65,000 signatures to Spain’s Congress, demanding an investigation. Full story at Valencia Plaza.
- Environmental concerns grow as President Carlos Mazón pushes for laws enabling reconstruction in flood-prone areas, despite criticisms of over development. Read El País’ reports here and here.
- Tensions between President Mazón and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez have deepened, with Levante-EMV describing it as a “total disconnect.” Read more here.
Housing Worries Deepen
Housing availability is reaching a critical point in Valencia, with more than 100 families applying for every rental listing. Read Levante-EMV’s report.
Charity and Flood Recovery
The weekend saw inspiring initiatives for flood recovery:
- A charity dinner featuring celebrity chefs raised over €3 million on Saturday. Details from Las Provincias.
- On Sunday, 3,000 motorcyclists took part in the “Santa Motorcade,” delivering gifts to children in flood-affected areas. Read more at Las Provincias.
Stay tuned for more updates this Thursday, and don’t miss the weekend events post!