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Valencia News: Wind warnings, neighborhood noise battles, a major arrest, and the start of jellyfish season

Good morning! Here is your news update for Thursday, 17 April. Semana Santa Marinera processions will be happening this weekend. Learn more about the city’s unique Easter traditions in this feature: Semana Santa Marinera: Valencia’s Unique Maritime Holy Week

Weather Alert

The national weather agency Aemet has issued a warning for strong winds up to 80 km/h and an increased risk of forest fires in the coming days.
Las Provincias: Alert for strong winds and fire risk

Politics in Valencia

The investigation into last October’s devastating flood continues. A court has ruled that the inquiry will focus exclusively on the Valencian government’s responsibility, not the national administration.
New revelations have emerged around a flurry of calls made by former Interior Minister Salomé Pradas, including a critical call from Generalitat President Carlos Mazón on the day of the disaster.

Meanwhile, Pilar Bernabé has announced her candidacy for mayor in 2027 as the Socialist Party’s nominee.
El Español: Socialists position Bernabé for a comeback

Flood Recovery

In response to the deadly floods, Mayor María José Catalá has ordered a new flood prevention plan for the city.
Levante: New South Plan in the works

Red Cross volunteers continue to clean the Albufera rice-growing lagoon by hand to trawl for trash and debris left by the flood.
Levante: Cleaning the Albufera by hand

Housing and Urban Development

Valencia City Council must return €469,000 in state housing aid after failing to justify expenses meant to support vulnerable groups.
Valencia Plaza: City loses emergency housing funds

In Cabanyal, residents are grappling with a double crisis: rising gentrification and an uptick in illegal home occupations.
Levante: Occupations and gentrification in Cabanyal

In Ruzafa, neighbors are preparing a legal complaint against motorcycle noise and all-night parties that have disrupted weekends.
Las Provincias: Ruzafa vs. noise pollution

Renovations at the historic El Grao Market will include new dining terraces and a stage for live performances.
Levante: El Grao to be transformed

A new housing plan for Campanar and Beniferri will see more low-build homes rather than apartment blocks in a rethinking of urban space.
Las Provincis: Beniferri reduces building heights

Crime and Corruption

A man known as the “Front Door Rapist” has been arrested after a string of assaults on women.
Las Provincias: How police caught the suspect

Authorities are moving to dismantle the Faitanar shantytown, which came to light during the floods. The action follows investigations into the conditions of six minors living at the site.
Levante: Legal and social pressure mounts on Faitanar

Climate and Environment

Business leaders in Valencia are urging the government to extend operations of the Cofrentes nuclear power plant beyond its scheduled closure in 2030, citing risks to the region’s energy supply.
Valencia Plaza: Cofrentes debate continues

The mystery of swan deaths in Jardines de Viveros has been solved. According to veterinarians, one swan died of grief after losing its mate.
Las Provincias: The swan that died of sorrow

A Netflix show featuring a bird-watching detective has prompted interest in Valencia’s rich bird-watching areas.
Las Provincias: Bird-watchers flock to see Valencia’s 300+ bird species

Dead jellyfish have started to wash up on Malvarrosa beach, signaling the start of the jellyfish season.
Levante: Jellyfish arrive at Valencia beaches

Semana Santa

Valencia’s Semana Santa Marinera stands apart from other Holy Week celebrations in Spain, with maritime traditions and processions that enter private homes.
Las Provincias: The fervor of Semana Santa Marinera

In Torrevieja, an English-speaking brotherhood has been participating in Holy Week processions for nearly 20 years.
A Punt: The English Brotherhood in Torrevieja

Valencia News: Semana Santa, clean beaches, a drug bust, more new arrivals, and a pigeon problem

Good morning! Here’s your news for Monday, 14 April. Semana Santa continues this week with processions and festivities across the city. If you’re curious about Valencia’s unique maritime traditions, check out the latest blog post: Semana Santa Marinera: Valencia’s Unique Maritime Holy Week

Semana Santa

Palm Sunday brought good weather and large crowds to the beaches and processions, marking a strong start to the holiday week. Levante: AEMET weather forecast | Las Provincias: Palm Sunday processions

Politics

Salomé Pradas, former Interior Minister, gave an emotional testimony last week in the ongoing investigation into October’s floods. She defended President Carlos Mazón, blaming technical staff for failing to convey the urgency of the disaster. Las Provincias: Pressure on Mazón | Valencia Plaza: Mazón grilled in session

A new protest against Mazón’s flood response is scheduled for 28 April. This will be the sixth consecutive monthly protest since the disaster. El País: Protest called six months after the DANA

Flood Recovery

The regional government has launched an online suggestion box for citizens to give feedback on the recovery plan. El Español: Public input encouraged

A new flood prevention strategy is being developed for the city, focused on river overflow.
Valencia Extra: Prevention plan in development

Valencia’s beaches have been cleared of flood debris and are now ready for summer.
Levante: Beaches prepared for bathing season

Traffic and Transport

Residents blocked access to the Pérez Galdós tunnel, demanding its removal. They argue it worsens traffic, increases pollution, and disrupts local commerce. La Razón: Neighborhood protest

Metro Valencia is struggling due to flood-related repairs, underfunding, and strain from free travel programs. Levante: Collapse of metro system

Cabify is introducing a motorcycle-sharing service in Valencia with 200 vehicles. Valencia Plaza: Cabify enters motosharing market

Changing City

Valencia gained nearly 20,000 new residents in the past year, with around 20% being foreign nationals. Levante: Population growth | Valencia Extra: Where newcomers come from

The city council plans to approve a new housing development in Benimaclet: 400 homes and 30,000 m² of green space. Valencia Extra: Benimaclet project moves forward

The city has released the latest survey on housing. A whopping 96% of residents feel they live in a “well-connected” neighborhood and nearly half live in a home they fully own and nearly a quarter pay rent. Ayuntamiento: 96% live in “well-connected area”.

Crime and Corruption

Police arrested three members of a family-run drug network operation in Ruzafa. Las Provincias: Ketamine, speed, ‘pink cocaine’, and viagra – drug supermarket busted.

The murder of an American violinist has focused attention on the building where his body was found—an abandoned structure from the 1950s known as the “German Workshop.” Levante: Urban exploration site under scrutiny

Climate and Environment

The EU is planning to ban single-use plastics commonly found in restaurants, including mini servings of olive oil and jam. Las Provincias: New EU regulation on plastics

The city council is working to control Valencia’s pigeon population, which has increased by 60% since 2021. El Español: Pigeon control measures

That’s all for today’s update. The next news roundup will be posted on Thursday. Have a great week!