Week in News: Rising Temperatures, Flood Memorial Plans, and a New Fallera Court
Bon dia! Here’s a look at what’s been happening in and around Valencia — and what’s ahead. Weekend Highlights will be out on Thursday.
Weather and Climate
Aemet is predicting a surge in temperatures across the Valencia region this week, with a chance of rain returning by next weekend. Rising sea temperatures have increased the number of DANA storms hitting the Valencian coast, changing what used to be a predictable autumn season, Las Provincias reports.
As an example, the recent Storm Alice brought a dramatic lightning display, with more than 4,000 bolts recorded across the region in a single day, according to Las Provincias.
The increased rainfall has been a welcome change for some: mushroom foragers are enjoying an unusually abundant season, with experts predicting a record harvest.
More reading in Spanish:
Valencia Noticias – Heavy rains promise a historic mushroom season
Politics
Families of DANA victims reject Mazón’s attendance at state funeral
As Valencia prepares a state funeral to mark the anniversary of last year’s deadly floods, some victims’ families have asked that the Generalitat president, Carlos Mazó, not attend, citing anger over the handling of recovery efforts, reports El País.
Questions over Valencia’s flood resilience
A year after the devastating DANA floods, experts and residents are questioning whether urban planning has truly adapted to prevent future disasters. While some improvements have been made, “zona cero” neighborhoods still face major challenges, explains Valencia Plaza. Furthermore, reconstruction efforts have exacerbated Valencia’s labor shortage, according to Valencia Plaza, with an estimated 10,000 construction workers needed to meet post-flood demand.
Ongoing struggles for flood victims
In some apartment blocks hit by last year’s DANA, elevators remain out of service, leaving residents with reduced mobility effectively trapped in their homes.
More reading in Spanish:
Valencia Plaza – After the DANA, elevators still broken months later
City Life & Urban Planning
New EU border entry-exit system
The EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) is being rolled out, including at Valencia Airport, changing the way non-EU travelers are processed at Schengen borders. Fingerprint and facial scans will replace traditional passport stamps, according to a report by BBC News.
€48 million in works signals a major urban investment drive
Despite the lack of construction crews, Valencia has more than 100 major urban projects underway across the city, Las Provincias reports, including six major EU-funded projects. Though not unprecedented, it is a considerable amount of construction work, especially in the south of the city, with the Pérez Galdós works.
Residents invited to vote on €16 million in city projects
There’s still time to cast your vote for city projects in the Valencia 2025/2026 Participatory Budget. Residents can vote for which neighborhood projects should move forward. The first phase has been controversial, Valencia Plaza reports, with some neighborhood associations criticizing the pre-selected projects as ‘political’.
Plan for new emissions-free zone revealed in Valencia
The city has released its detailed plan for the upcoming Zona de Bajas Emisiones (ZBE), set to take effect in December, reports Las Provincias. The restrictions will limit high-emission vehicles in central Valencia, with a system of fines and exceptions still under discussion.
New bike and walking path to complete the Turia Park route
A new 1.3 km stretch will soon connect the final section of Valencia’s Turia river park, allowing pedestrians and cyclists to travel continuously from Parc de Capçalera to the sea.
More reading in Spanish:
Valencia Extra – New Turia path to open for walkers and cyclists
Economy & Education
IMF forecasts strong growth for Spain — but uncertainty for Valencian firms
The International Monetary Fund expects Spain’s economy to grow faster than the EU average this year. However, many Valencian companies are freezing investments due to the uncertainty created by U.S.–China trade tensions, reports Valencia Plaza.
UPV opens first Spanish university campus in China
Meanwhile, the Universitat Politècnica de València has inaugurated the first official Spanish university campus abroad, located in China — a milestone in international higher education, according to El País.
Crime and Policing
Cocaine shipment seized at Valencia port
Police seized 1,700 kilos of cocaine linked to an international cartel in a major anti-narcotics operation at the port of Valencia.
More reading in Spanish:
Levante-EMV – 1,700 kilos of cocaine seized in “Operation Spider”
Society & Culture
New Falleras Mayores announced
Valencia’s Fallas community celebrated the appointment of its new Falleras Mayores for 2025, Levante-EMV reports, marking a “double debut” of two young ambassadors for the city’s most iconic celebration.
“Rice of the Future” winner named
A local chef has been crowned the “Arrocero del Futuro” in a competition celebrating innovation in Valencia’s beloved rice cuisine.
More reading in Spanish:
Las Provincias – Winner of Valencia’s “Rice of the Future” contest”
