Spain unveils €530m plan to reduce damage of extreme weather events
The Spanish government has announced a 530-million euro plan to protect communities against extreme weather events, following the flash floods that killed 233 people in Valencia in October.
On Wednesday, Sara Aagesen, the minister for ecological transition, presented the reforms to associations that represent the victims of the disaster. They included the new mapping of flood zones and the renaturalising of riverbeds.
The deadly floods in Valencia happened as a result of a phenomenon known by the Spanish acronym DANA, which occurs when warm and cold air meet to form powerful rain clouds. The process is thought to now happen more regularly because of climate change.
"Our commitment and responsibility is not only to rebuild everything that the DANA destroyed in your municipalities, but also to improve resilience in order to have a better prepared territory," said Aagesen during her meeting with the associations.
"The minister confirmed that they are working on the enlargement of the ravines, which will allow us to sleep more peacefully," said Cristian Lesaec, president of one of the groups.
Rosa Álvarez, who is part of a different association, has called for road upgrades in potentially floodable areas.
Aagesen promised that this work would begin in 2026, according to Álvarez.
The Spanish minister also detailed a plan to renovate hydraulic infrastructure, which will see the repair of supply, sanitation and purification facilities affected by October's flooding.
Another protest is due to take place on Thursday against the Valencian government's management of the disaster.
This comes after Carlos Mazón, the president of the local government, expressed his displeasure at the victims associations' decision to meet with officials from Madrid.
Mazón had wanted to meet them first. However, the associations said they would only meet him if a veto blocking an inquiry into the Valencian parliament's handling of the catastrophe was lifted.
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