At the time of writing these lines, the provisional toll stands at 72 deaths, including 70 in Valencia, due to the effects of DANA. Although these events are common in October, this one was one of the most intense in recent decades. The rains were expected for a long time, but the precipitation ended up being much heavier than expected.
The authorities They activated the alert at 8 p.m. on the afternoon of October 29, when the storm had already started, which for many was already too late. The next morning, on the 30th, the Valencian Community activated the device for several victims with the telephone number of the missing person (900 365 11). And although Carlos Mazón, president of the Generalitat, declared that the most intense of the storm had passed, reconstruction work is now beginning.
According to AEMET sources, this atmospheric system should cross the peninsula towards the west and its center would be located above Portugal. In addition, the rains are expected to extend towards Catalonia, which is why it is requested particular attention in the areas of Barcelona and Girona. There will also be intense storms in the southwest, in the Gulf of Huelva.
[Por qué la DANA ha triplicado las peores previsiones de Aemet: “Se ha formado un racimo descomunal de tormentas”]
On the other hand, the Center for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications of Catalonia (CREAF) highlighted the importance of rethinking the activities carried out in flood-prone areas or by the sea. According to them, certain areas threatened by flooding should be reorganized to adapt them. CREAF assures that the economic and human cost will increase.
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1 of 4 The Magro River collapses a bridge in Carlet, Valencian Community
In recent years, weather events have become more recurring and extremeas was the case in this case. The DANA, which is an isolated depression at high levels of atmospheric pressure that has separated from the central current, can bring heavy rains, although it is not something fixed, hence the unpredictability of these phenomena.
At the start of the week, an accumulation of 300 liters per square meter was expected. However, according to AEMET data, the storm grew up to 445 liters in Chiva (Valencia), the point where it rained the most in the community. A figure close to the historic rains of 1996 when it fell up to 520 liters per square meter.
Eva Manez -
2 of 4 DANA causes rain with mild temperatures in Santander
These are damaged They feed on the sea temperaturethey are therefore also closely linked to climate change. Traditionally, what is called the “cold drop” It is associated with the beginning of September, when the sea is still warm after summer. Fortunately, this time it was late October, when the weather had already cooled down a bit.
In June this year there was an episode of abnormally low temperatures, if we think in terms of recent years. Isabel Moreno, physicist and meteorologist, warned that “We are getting used to hotter and hotter summers” and that is why it may seem that this summer has been “cold”. But there have not been the devastating consequences that we saw in Valencia.
Roman G. Aguilera -
3 out of 4 A strong storm of rain, wind and hail left this Logroño park white
On this occasion, the ocean waves played their role. In this low pressure atmospheric system, small phenomena are generated. This could be heavy rain, hail or abnormally cold weather.. Moreno explains that a warmer atmosphere holds more water vapor and a warmer sea evaporates more quickly: “climate change favors more extreme precipitation events.”
Anyway, Not everything is as simple as attributing it to a single factor.. Meteorology and DANAS are also influenced by winds, humidity and orography, which accumulate clouds. In this case, the perfect storm happened.
Moreno remembers that a peculiarity occurred: “A line of intense precipitation, but small and very stationary in an area that poured water for hours and where there was a population underneath.” If this had happened in another uninhabited area, it would not have been as catastrophic because the emphasis was in the same place.
Raquel Manzanares -
4 out of 4 A man in an area flooded by water in Álora
Of course, the point the meteorologist wants to emphasize is preparation. To attribute extreme phenomena to climate change, you have to run climate models that give an estimate of the probability that the same thing would have happened under “normal” conditions, that is to say before the massive emission of greenhouse gases.
What scientists are sure of is that they will be more recurrent, intense and unpredictable. For this reason, Moreno first calls, reduce gas emissions which are known to fuel global warming and, secondly, to prepare infrastructure, cities and people for this type of event.
Although it can be complicated, as it requires resources, money and time very occasional events which can happen every five or ten years. It is when we fail to act accordingly that we must mourn the deaths of 72 citizens.
Jon Nazca
