DANA leaves isolated towns and carries out helicopter rescues

The forecasts were not disappointed and the DANA (Isolated depression at high levels) has hit the Valencian Community since Monday afternoon with torrential rains and strong winds, causing flooding, helicopter rescues and road closures.

According to the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET)some areas of the province of Valencia, such as Alzira and Gandía, are on red alert due to accumulations of up to 90 liters per square meter in one hour.

The authorities decided to close the ports of Valencia and Sagunto and suspend classes at many colleges and universities. In addition, several incidents were recorded, including the rescue of people stuck in their vehicles and the evacuation of flooded areas.

The Emergency Coordination Center of the Generalitat has activated the maximum alert situation in the region of The Upper Riberawhere intense and widespread rain is expected. The A-7 and V-21 roads were closed due to flooding, complicating access to the Valencian capital.

Rescue operations are underway, with emergency teams working around the clock to ensure the safety of residents.

One of these rescues took place at Alzira. The Provincial Consortium of Firefighters of Valencia has published the impressive images of the rescue of a driver stuck by water in this Valencian city.

The intervention was carried out by air with the rescue group MANAGED with the Consortium’s V-990 helicopter, which was transferred to the helipad. In addition, the same team also rescued the driver of another vehicle in Alzira and she is in good condition.

As reported by Aemet, since yesterday morning a convective system has been sweeping the province of Valencia from south to north, with numerous lightning strikes and torrential rains in some pre-coastal areas.

The rain fell with force in the Valencian municipality of Llombaïwith records up to 100 and 180 liters per square meter. Also in the town of Real, where 80 liters per square meter was recorded in just over an hour.

In La Pobla Llarga, 166 liters per square meter fell in a few hours, while in Alcudia the figure rose to 125 liters, as reported by the Generalitat Valenciana.

Many streets in these towns were flooded and collapsed. Some communities have been isolated and the authorities are now monitoring the ravines because they are starting to overflow.

Suspended transport

The rains also forced the interruption of the circulation of certain railway lines in the province of Valencia and Metrovalencia Line 1.

Concretely, Adif reported the interruption of trains between Chiva and Utiel due to the weather conditions, which affected trains from the center of Valencia that run between Utiel and Valencia North.

For this reason, an alternative transportation plan was established with road transfers between Chiva and Utiel.

In addition, early in the morning, traffic between Tavernes de la Valldigna and Cullera was interrupted due to the fall of an object on the catenary, an incident also due to weather conditions.

As a result, Valencia Cercanías core trains that run between Valencia North and Xeraco. At 8:17 a.m., Adif reported that traffic had resumed and trains on the line were gradually starting to return to their usual frequency.

On the other hand, on the Metrovalencia network, traffic between Alginet and Castelló, on line 1, was interrupted due to rain around 8:00 a.m. It was also interrupted between L’Alcúdia and Castelló.

Metrovalencia also warned early in the morning of delays on lines 1 and 2 due to the rainy episode.

On the other hand, an electrical fault interrupted the circulation of the meters on line 7 around 7:00 a.m.

For travelers to Marítim and Torrent Avinguda It was recommended to transfer to Ángel Guimerà as Bailén is out of action. At 7:40 a.m., the restoration of traffic was reported but with delays on the line.