Spain is in a climate emergency after the arrival of a meteorological phenomenon known as DANA, which has brought heavy rains and floods since Monday, considerably affecting several areas of Valencia and leaving devastation and more than 95 people dead.
According to Spain’s public television broadcaster TVE the current death toll from DANA is 158; 155 in Valencia, 2 in Albacete (Castilla-La Mancha) and 1 in Jerez de la Frontera (Andalusia).
According to the authorities, the meteorological phenomenon known as Isolated High Level Depression (DANA), will continue to cause severe rains during the rest of the week, which will further complicate rescue efforts and cause more damage in areas already affected and in others considered high risk.
The heavy rains have caused flooding and destruction that have so far left more than 95 dead, although the number of missing is unknown, which could increase the fatalities. Meanwhile, the government is working to provide support to affected communities and continue to assess the impact of the disaster.
Why does the DANA phenomenon occur?
The cut-off low, commonly called “cold drop”, is a phenomenon that occurs mainly in the Mediterranean between the months of June and October, but does not always result in disasters. According to the AEMET, this meteorological event originates when a mass of cold air is isolated at high levels of the atmosphere, causing the formation of a depression with low pressure that can generate rain and strong winds, especially in areas with high humidity and high temperatures.
A man walks through a debris-covered street after flash floods hit the region in the Sedavà area of Valencia, Spain. Spanish authorities confirmed that at least 140 people had died, mostly in the Valencia region, amid flash-flooding followed heavy rain. 📸: David Ramos #DANA pic.twitter.com/j1szdWjD0y
— Getty Images News (@GettyImagesNews) October 31, 2024
Although the DANA phenomenon is not always associated with catastrophes, on this occasion, the heavy rains exceeded predictions and that is why there was terrible devastation in several areas of Spain, leaving thousands of victims and considerable material damage.
Read also:Â Images Reveal the Devastating Impact of DANA in Spain
At the moment, the affected areas are in a complicated situation, as heavy rains are expected to continue to fall for the rest of the week, which would obviously complicate the current emergency situation.
Authorities urge the population to stay informed and follow the instructions of the emergency services, as the forecast of continuous rains could increase the risk of floods and landslides in the coming days.
