Tag: climate-change

Valencia News: Protests Continue, Millions Discovered, and a Sports Hero Comes Home

Bon dia! Here’s the news update to start your week.

Political Leadership Under Fire

Protests against Mazon continue
Thousands took to the streets on Saturday demanding the resignation of Generalitat President Carlos Mazón. This marks the sixth mass protest over his handling of the October flood disaster. À Punt has more. The demonstration also highlighted the efforts of emergency services. Valencia Plaza offers a photo essay. Despite the protests and waning political support, Mazón remains in power, bolstered by deals with the far-right party, Vox. El País explains.

El Ventorro keeps a low profile

Meanwhile, the restaurant where Mazón allegedly spent the flood afternoon avoiding calls has removed its sign after an influx of visitors taking mocking selfies. More from Levante.

Prime Minister’s absence questioned

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is also under fire for not visiting Valencia since the flood. Valencia Plaza reports.

Flood Recovery

Stranded without elevators
Hundreds of buildings remain without functioning elevators, leaving elderly and vulnerable residents stuck in upper floors. Levante shares their stories.

Aid efforts continue
Flood-affected residents still depend on donations. Feria Valencia remains the hub for relief efforts. Valencia Plaza takes a look inside.

Weather & Environment

Strong winds disrupt the weekend
Despite the sunny skies, winds reaching 147 km/h caused disturbances across the city. Levante reports.

Rain may return for Easter
The AEMET meteorological agency warns that rain is likely to return this week, potentially affecting Easter plans. Las Provincias has more.

Reservoir levels rise, but water is wasted
Recent rainfall has replenished some reservoirs, easing drought conditions. However, poor infrastructure has led to significant water waste. El Español investigates.

Innovative Bioplastics from candy waste
Researchers at the University of Alicante have developed a method to create bioplastics using sugar residue from candies. Valencia Plaza explains.

Crime & Corruption

Millions discovered in former police chief’s homes
Authorities uncovered over €400,000 hidden in the floorboards of a Denia holiday home belonging to Spain’s former chief of Economic and Fiscal Crime. The Madrid raid found an even larger sum: over €18 million. Levante has the details.

Changing City

Soaring parking costs
Valencia’s parking prices are skyrocketing as demand exceeds supply. Las Provincias reports.

Housing crisis deepens
The housing shortage has become so severe that some real estate agencies have run out of properties to sell. El País explores the impact.

New Airport Connections

Five new city flights
This summer, Valencia airport will add new destinations to its flight roster: Oslo, Pescara, Poznan, Reykjavik, and Montreal, reports Las Provincias.

Thanks for reading! I’ll be back Thursday with another update. Have a great week!

Valencia Flood Update: Sewage Emergency, Traffic Disruptions, and Planned Protest Over Government Response

Valencia faces mounting challenges in the aftermath of severe flooding. Blocked sewers sparking fears of a health emergency. Traffic disruptions stalling recovery efforts. Plus a protest planned over the government’s response. Here’s the latest on the crisis and its impact on local communities.

Sewage Emergency

Flood cleanup efforts have left Valencia’s sewer systems clogged with mud, pushing some neighborhoods to the brink of a public health crisis, Las Provincias reports. Valencia’s water management company, Egevasa, issued a nationwide call for tanker trucks to remove sludge and relieve the pressure on sewage infrastructure.

Hard-hit areas, including Paiporta, face potential inundation by a toxic mix of river mud and raw sewage. Medical authorities urge residents and volunteers to wear waterproof clothing, gloves, and masks due to the high risk of waterborne and bacterial infections in the contaminated floodwaters. For more information on volunteer safety, see our earlier post on recommended precautions. Volunteer Safety for Flood Recovery

El País also reports that more than 100 wastewater treatment facilities across Valencia are buried under mud and debris. Environmental groups warn that if repairs aren’t made soon, raw sewage and industrial waste could leak into natural water reserves, including the Albufera lagoon, endangering its delicate ecosystem. Read more on El País

Traffic Jams

Severe traffic jams continue to slow the arrival of essential heavy machinery to affected areas, A Punt reports. The Generalitat has issued a public appeal for residents to work from home and avoid driving in an effort to reduce congestion.

For those commuting, El País provides a map showing the roads most impacted by the floods. Check out the map here

Protest Planned

In response to frustrations over the government’s handling of the crisis, several groups are organizing a mass demonstration on Saturday, November 9. Protesters are calling for the resignation of Generalitat President Carlos Mazón, citing the slow response to the disaster. The march will begin at Plaza del Ayuntamiento and proceed to the Palau de la Generalitat on Carrer dels Cavallers in El Carmen. Details from El Salto