Political Controversy Surrounds Flood Management in Valencia

The aftermath of recent floods in Valencia province has ignited a fierce political debate regarding responsibility for flood management, particularly focusing on the role of the Confederación Hidrográfica del Júcar (CHJ). This comes as residents of the Vega Baja region in Alicante, still reeling from devastating flooding caused by a DANA in 2019, express frustration over the lack of substantial preventive measures taken since the disaster.

According to José Bernabé Sáez, a water judge from Orihuela and part of the 17 irrigator communities that filed a complaint against the CHS, “We escaped by a miracle. If the forecast of 150 liters per square meter had materialized, the river and the ravines would not have withstood it because since 2019 nothing has been done.” His comments highlight a growing concern among locals about potential future floods and the adequacy of the existing infrastructure to handle such events.

Lack of Action Since 2019

Residents and local authorities are voicing their displeasure over what they perceive as inadequate responses to the catastrophic flooding experienced in 2019. Sáez further notes, “Here, only minor patches have been made; the only substantial work has been on small aqueducts and channels. All the projects discussed following the 2019 DANA for building dams in the Abanilla ravine (between Murcia and Orihuela) or Tabara (Albatera) remain uninitiated.”

Despite a judicial complaint lodged against CHS authorities from multiple administrations, it faced repeated dismissals in court, leaving the community feeling abandoned. Sáez emphasizes the community’s vulnerability, stating, “The situation remains unchanged, and we feel defenseless against a similar event that might arise again.”

Failures of the “Vega Renhace” Plan

The regional government’s “Vega Renhace” plan, intended to centralize and address critical infrastructure improvements in response to the floods, has also faced significant criticism. Initiated under the leadership of Ximo Puig, the plan was meant to tackle damage from the DANA catastrophically affecting local areas. However, most projects aimed at constructing crucial infrastructure have either stalled entirely or been deemed ineffective.

Sáez asserts, “Despite extensive discussions about these essential projects, they have remained on paper, and the river and ravines have received no maintenance whatsoever.” This further exacerbates concerns regarding the safety and preparedness of the region against future flooding events.

The political tensions reached a peak when the current government, led by Carlos Mazón, discontinued the plan due to perceived ineffectiveness, leading to heightened dissatisfaction among residents reliant on sensible flood management strategies.

Conclusion

As tensions continue to mount over flood management and the responsibilities of local governments and institutions, residents of the Vega Baja region hope for meaningful change. The absence of effective preventive measures, combined with the memory of the devastation of 2019, leaves many questioning the preparedness of their region against future natural disasters.

For continued updates and insights regarding the ongoing situation in Valencia and the Vega Baja region, visit El Español.