November 21, 2024

Global

Infrastructure Upgrades Vital for Combating Deadly Floods in Spain, Expert Warns

Kaumimarg Bureau / IANS | November 09, 2024 11:33 AM

Madrid, Nov 8 (IANS): In response to devastating flash floods in eastern Spain, particularly in Valencia, infrastructure improvements are deemed essential to preventing future disasters, according to Luis Mediero, a professor at the Polytechnic University of Madrid’s School of Civil Engineering.

Spain’s late October floods, described as “unprecedented” by the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), saw Valencia receiving 300–491 liters per square meter of rainfall in just eight hours—a year’s worth of rain. Mediero explained that while the region's infrastructure helped mitigate some flood damage, it was overwhelmed by the sheer intensity of the downpour. A diversion channel south of Valencia’s historic center and roller dams in Valencia and Murcia proved effective, storing water and protecting key areas.

These “sustainable urban scenic cells, ” as Mediero described them, function like sponges, absorbing heavy rainfall and reinforcing urban resilience. Despite these efforts, the flood impacted over 78 municipalities across Valencia, Castilla-La Mancha, and Andalusia, resulting in widespread destruction, over 200 fatalities, and dozens still missing.

Mediero emphasized the urgency of upgrading flood-resistant infrastructure and integrating climate change considerations into future designs to enhance resilience against such extreme weather events.

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