What's happened
Severe flooding in southeastern Spain has resulted in over 200 fatalities and widespread destruction, particularly in towns like Chiva and Alfafar. Residents are grappling with the aftermath, as urgent calls for aid and explanations for the disaster's scale emerge amid discussions of climate change's role.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the New York Times, the floods have been described as unprecedented, with locals expressing disbelief at the scale of destruction. Emma Bubola reports that many residents attribute the disaster to climate change, stating, 'They say there is no climate change, then what is this atrocity?' Meanwhile, The Independent highlights the immediate struggles faced by survivors like Alba Paredes Borja, who described her neighborhood as 'apocalyptic' and emphasized the lack of aid, saying, 'There are no rescues; it’s just us.' This contrast illustrates the urgent need for both immediate relief and long-term solutions to address the underlying climate issues.
How we got here
On October 31, 2024, a catastrophic storm, known as the 'cold drop' or DANA phenomenon, unleashed unprecedented rainfall in southeastern Spain, leading to severe flooding. This event has raised concerns about climate change and its impact on weather patterns in the region.
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Spain, officially the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southwestern Europe with some pockets of territory across the Strait of Gibraltar and the Atlantic Ocean. Its continental European territory is situated on the Iberian Peninsula.
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Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón is a Spanish politician serving as Prime Minister of Spain since 2 June 2018. On 7 January 2020, Pedro Sanchez was confirmed by the Congress of Deputies as Prime Minister with a lead of just two votes, heading the first coa