Two weeks after the DANA (isolated depression at high levels) that hit territories in southeastern Spain and left more than 200 dead at the end of October, a new storm has been battering the region since Tuesday, causing severe flooding in Málaga, while Valencia is on high alert.
The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) issued a red warning (the highest of three possible levels) for Valencia and Málaga until noon and 8 a.m. on Thursday, respectively, due to heavy rainfall.
Heavy rainfall began on Tuesday, triggering alerts in several regions of the Mediterranean area of Spain due to the extreme risk of flooding, similar to the DANA or "cold drop" event from October 29, which resulted in at least 216 fatalities in the province of Valencia, according to the official count as of Wednesday, cited by the newspaper El País.
In the province of Málaga, the meteorological phenomenon has put numerous towns in the region, particularly the capital, in an extreme situation.
On Wednesday afternoon, the swelling and overflow of three rivers in the Andalusian province were reported due to heavy rainfall, resulting in flooding and the evacuation of thousands of residents from dozens of municipalities, according to local media.
Authorities advised the public to stay indoors and avoid the streets, as well as to keep away from affected areas and remain alert for updates regarding the event.
Approximately 1,100 people were evacuated in Vélez-Málaga due to the overflow of the Vélez River, adding to the 3,000 evacuees from other municipalities on Tuesday night.
Meteorologists predict that Málaga will experience rainfall of 120 liters per square meter within 12 hours and up to 200 l/m2 throughout the entire weather event, local newspapers reported. The Meteorological Center estimates that this Thursday will be the last day of such intense rainfall due to the "cold frost low," and that starting Friday, only residual precipitation will occur in specific areas.
Meanwhile, in Valencia, the epicenter of the catastrophic rain event on October 29, rainfall totals can reach 40 liters per square meter in one hour and over 180 liters per square meter in four or five hours. "The danger is extreme," warned the meteorological agency.
Following the issuance of the red alert by AEMET, the Emergency Coordination Center of the Generalitat issued a civil protection alert via the ES-Alert system, warning of the possibility of potentially extreme rainfall.
The municipalities most affected by the storm that battered Valencia in October are keeping multiple control measures active early Thursday morning (local time) in anticipation of the heavy rains forecast for those same areas.
The Mayor of Valencia, María José Catalá, urged the people of Valencia to exercise great caution and to use public transport if they need to move around "within the city." Meanwhile, the presence of police and fire department patrols in the local areas was strengthened to maintain control throughout the night, reported El País.
The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, announced on Monday a decree to assist those affected by the DANA, which includes 110 measures and is valued at 3.765 billion euros, in addition to the 10.6 billion approved last week.
However, the Supreme Court has received nine complaints or lawsuits against officials, including Sánchez and the president of the Valencian Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, regarding their response to the recent DANA.
The accusations point to alleged crimes of failure to provide assistance or negligent homicide, according to legal sources reported to Europa Press.
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