Latest news with #DANA
Euronews
6 days ago
- Climate
- Euronews
All four crew members killed in South Korean navy plane crash
All four crew members aboard a South Korean navy plane have been killed after the aircraft crashed in the southeastern coastal city of Pohang, the navy has said. The P-3C Orion turboprop plane which is used for marine patrols, took off from its base in the city at 1:43 pm and crashed due to unknown reasons, the navy said in a statement. It said it had identified the bodies of the four crew members and was in the process of recovering them. There were no immediate reports of civilian casualties on the ground. The navy has set up a task force to investigate the crash and has temporarily grounded its fleet of P-3s, dubbed "submarine killers" due to their submarine fighting abilities. An emergency office in Pohang said that rescuers and fire trucks were dispatched to the site after receiving reports from residents that an aircraft had crashed on a hill near an apartment complex and caused a fire. Photos showed firefighters and emergency vehicles near the P-3C crash site with flames flickering as smoke engulfed nearby trees. Local emergency services said two helicopters and 40 firefighters had been deployed to the area to fight the fire. The South Korean navy is in the middle of plans to upgrade its aeroplane fleet to Boeing P-8A Poseidon, set to be completed by mid-2025. 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.
Euronews
6 days ago
- Politics
- Euronews
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.
Daily Mail
13-05-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Majorca's beaches are turned white with ICE as freak storm hits the tourist hot spot
Majorca was battered by freakish hailstorms yesterday that left renowned tourist hotspots on the Spanish island covered in ice and overrun with flood waters. Tourists and locals alike were sent running for cover as huge hailstones pelted the resort of Porto Cristo, where idyllic beaches turned from golden to white in a matter of minutes as chunks of ice blanketed the sand. Municipalities such as Manacor, Sant Llorenç and Sa Pobla were the worst affected, but large swathes of the islands were engulfed in the deluge. Shocking video footage circulating on social media showed how furniture and tiles on typically sun-soaked decking outside hotels and private flats were smashed by the hailstorms as holidaymakers cowered inside. Spain's state weather service AEMET issued yellow weather warnings for Majorca and Menorca, warning that up to 50 litres of rainfall per square metre drenched Manacor in just half an hour, triggering flash floods. The warnings are in place until this evening with parts of the island now facing between 60 and 70 litres of rainfall per square metre in two or three hours. The culprit behind the rare and destructive weather pattern was put down to what is known in Spain as 'DANA' - short for 'Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos' or 'Isolated Depression at High Levels'. These phenomena form when a pocket of cold air detaches from the jet stream over the Atlantic and settles over warmer Mediterranean air. The resulting clash in temperatures and pressures creates intense instability, often unleashing torrential rain, violent hailstorms, and flash floods over short periods. DANAs produce erratic and slow-moving storms which can dump enormous volumes of water and hail over the same region in hours. In Spain, where the ground is often dry and the infrastructure ill-prepared for flooding, these deluges can create havoc. The storm engulfing Majorca comes days after similar downpours punished towns in Valencia less than six months on from catastrophic flooding in the region which left more than 230 people dead. British holidaymakers were warned against travelling after first-sized hail hammered the popular region in eastern Spain on Thursday amid orange weather warnings by AEMET denoting 'significant danger'. The hailstorm and resulting floods gave way to chaotic scenes as Valencians rushed for cover in a month where daytime temperatures typically hover around 20 degrees Celsius. Scarcely believable footage showed how vehicles sustained damage from the hail as others became stuck amid ice floes several inches thick in Villar del Arzobispo, with residents powerless to free them. Other shocking clips circulating on social media showed the deluge gushing through the typically sun-kissed streets of Guadassequies and l'Olleria. The sudden storm heaped misery on the region's residents, many of whom lost their livelihoods in the historic 'cold drop' that occurred in October 2024, triggering massive flooding which killed 232 people. The authorities' perceived inadequacies in emergency preparation, communication and response to last year's weather phenomenon - referred to by the Spanish acronym DANA - left millions disillusioned. Those flash floods followed days after a historic power outage left almost all of Spain without electricity for hours. Valencians had planned a massive demonstration to call for the resignation of regional president Carlos Mazon, but it was cancelled due to the power outage. Roughly a third of Spain remained under yellow or orange weather warnings over the weekend with AEMET warning of 'very strong storms, with large hail and strong wind gusts in areas of the north and east of the Peninsula'. The agency said the highly irregular conditions bore the hallmarks of a 'cyclonic supercell storm', a weather event which brings severe thunderstorms and hail, but it was later identified as a DANA-induced weather event. It added that the storm was 'spreading anomalously, deviating significantly southeastward relative to the movement of the other storms in its vicinity, which are moving eastward.' The perilous conditions in Spain are symptomatic of a wider trend in Europe, which faced its most widespread flooding last year since 2013. Floodwaters killed at least 335 people in Europe in 2024 - many of them in Spain - and affected more than 410,000, the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service and the World Meteorological Organisation said in a joint report on Europe's climate last month. Western Europe was hit hardest, with 2024 ranking among the region's ten wettest years in records going back to 1950. Storms and flooding are Europe's costliest weather extremes, last year causing damage exceeding €18 billion euros. Globally, 2024 was also the world's warmest year since records began, as well as the warmest for Europe - the planet's fastest-warming continent. The planet is now around 1.3 degrees Celsius warmer than in pre-industrial times, mainly due to human-caused climate change. Southeastern Europe had its longest heat wave on record, totalling 13 days, while Scandinavia's glaciers shrank at the highest rates on record, and heat stress increased across the continent. Much of Eastern Europe suffered a lack of rain and drought, while floods ravaged western Europe. Nearly a third of Europe's overall river network exceeded a 'high' flood threshold, while 12% breached 'severe' flood levels in 2024. Storm Boris in September dumped the heaviest rain ever recorded in Central Europe onto countries, including Austria, Czechia, Germany and Slovakia.
Daily Mail
09-05-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Warning to British tourists after Valencia is battered by flash flooding almost six months after 232 lost lives in freak storm
Spain has been battered by freakish storms that saw huge hailstones and floodwaters punish towns in Valencia less than six months on from catastrophic flooding which left more than 230 people dead. British holidaymakers were warned against travelling after first-sized hail hammered the popular region in eastern Spain yesterday amid orange weather warnings by state weather service AEMET denoting 'significant danger'. The hailstorm and resulting floods gave way to chaotic scenes as Valencians rushed for cover in a month where daytime temperatures typically hover around 20 degrees Celsius. Scarcely believable footage showed how vehicles sustained damage from the hail as others became stuck amid ice floes several inches thick in Villar del Arzobispo, with residents powerless to free them. Other shocking clips circulating on social media showed the deluge gushing through the typically sun-kissed streets of Guadassequies and l'Olleria. The sudden storm heaped misery on the region's residents, many of whom lost their livelihoods in the historic 'cold drop' that occurred in October 2024, triggering massive flooding which killed 232 people. The authorities' perceived inadequacies in emergency preparation, communication and response to last year's weather phenomenon - referred to by the Spanish acronym DANA (Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos) - left millions disillusioned. Yesterday's flash floods also came just days after a historic power outage left almost all of Spain without electricity for hours. Valencians last week had planned a massive demonstration to call for the resignation of regional president Carlos Mazon, but it was cancelled due to the power outage. Roughly a third of Spain remains under yellow or orange weather warnings into the weekend with AEMET warning of 'very strong storms, with large hail and strong wind gusts in areas of the north and east of the Peninsula' set for Saturday. The agency said the highly irregular conditions bore the hallmarks of a 'cyclonic supercell storm', a weather event which brings severe thunderstorms and hail. It added that the storm was 'spreading anomalously, deviating significantly southeastward relative to the movement of the other storms in its vicinity, which are moving eastward.' The perilous conditions in Spain are symptomatic of a wider trend in Europe, which faced its most widespread flooding last year since 2013. Floodwaters killed at least 335 people in Europe in 2024 - many of them in Spain - and affected more than 410,000, the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service and the World Meteorological Organisation said in a joint report on Europe's climate last month. Western Europe was hit hardest, with 2024 ranking among the region's ten wettest years in records going back to 1950. Storms and flooding are Europe's costliest weather extremes, last year causing damage exceeding €18 billion euros. Globally, 2024 was also the world's warmest year since records began, as well as the warmest for Europe - the planet's fastest-warming continent. The planet is now around 1.3 degrees Celsius warmer than in pre-industrial times, mainly due to human-caused climate change. Southeastern Europe had its longest heat wave on record, totalling 13 days, while Scandinavia's glaciers shrank at the highest rates on record, and heat stress increased across the continent. Much of Eastern Europe suffered a lack of rain and drought, while floods ravaged western Europe. Nearly a third of Europe's overall river network exceeded a 'high' flood threshold, while 12% breached 'severe' flood levels in 2024. Storm Boris in September dumped the heaviest rain ever recorded in Central Europe onto countries, including Austria, Czechia, Germany and Slovakia.
Euronews
29-04-2025
- Climate
- Euronews
Valencians physically, emotionally exhausted six months on from floods
ADVERTISEMENT "We lost it in the DANA," many locals in villages outside Valencia reply of their personal belongings. From baby strollers to wedding dresses, laptops to photo albums - six months after the devastating floods in a number of villages outside Valencia, the so-called DANA remains the only thing on people's minds. The DANA, Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos, or 'cold drop', was the atmospheric phenomenon which on 29 October 2024 brought torrential rain and a year's worth of precipitation. More than 227 people lost their lives and thousands of businesses and homes were damaged. After the flooding, thousands of volunteers from all around Spain came to help clean up. Many arrived by foot. Six months later, although people here are grateful to be alive, the mental suffering feels more acute than ever. With elevators broken down and parking lots destroyed - the day to day lives of people changed for the worse - especially for the old and vulnerable. Although houses are being renovated and businesses gradually reopening, the price tag of the economic damage remains at billions and the psychological consequences for children acute. "We are more drained now than six months ago", Juan Ruiz Father of two Juan Ruiz is about to move house for the second time since losing his newly renovated home six months ago. On top of the normal day to day tasks, daily life now consists of admin, paper work, home renovations - piecing together the life his family had before the 29 October 2024. Juan is forever grateful to the volunteers who gave up their free time to support him and his family, but disappointed with local politicians for their lack of support. A massive demonstration had been arranged for Monday to call for the resignation of the President of the Valencian Community Carlos Mazón, for the management of the DANA of October 29, but was postponed due to the historic electricity outage. With the country on a level 2 emergency plan, organisers said they were acting responsibly for security reasons and would hold the demonstration on Tuesday instead during the EPP party Congress. "Mazón, resign" Demo postponed The spokesperson for the demonstration told Euronews it was terrible to hold the EPP congress and celebration in Valencia, a city still in mourning. "It is for us an insult as they are validating the criminal management of the worst ecological catastrophe in our area" Beatriu Cardona English teacher and spokesperson for DANA victims Beatriu is calling another demonstration for today at 18h30 at the same time the European Popular Party Congress will be hosting an official dinner. "At that very time, six months ago there were dozens of people being flooded and dying from Carlons Mazón's incompetence," Beatriu Cardona told Euronews. For her part, the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has said she would not meet victims this week in Valencia but has invited them instead to Brussels on 13 May. "I hope the People's Party will at least pay for their flights and hotel," chirped José, another demonstrator in the crowd praising the Commission President for showing solidarity. Protesters hope the European People's Party congress will put pressure on Carlos Mazón to step down from politics as the biggest fear in Valencia is that the tragic DANA will strike again.
