It was a restless night for the residents of Aldaia in the Valencia region. In a matter of minutes, the city was overtaken by the elements: torrential rain poured onto the streets, flooding entire neighborhoods. Nearly 60 liters of water per square meter fell in just half an hour, causing a sudden rise in the level of the local La Saleta ravine.
Panic gripped many, as memories of last year’s tragedy—when hundreds lost their lives in the region—are still fresh. At that time, most victims were found in basements and garages, and now local authorities are striving to prevent a repeat of that scenario. A special list of vulnerable citizens has been created in the city to ensure a prompt response to potential threats.
Water surged into the city center, flooding several streets and halting traffic. One of the city tunnels was completely blocked by mud and flowing water. However, thanks to newly installed metal barriers, even more serious consequences were avoided. Despite the tense situation, there was no need to evacuate residents.
Aldaia continues to deal with the aftermath of the storm. City officials are closely monitoring the situation to prevent further incidents. Residents, who have endured another night of anxiety, hope the city can recover and protect itself from future disasters.
