Aemet forecasts rain in Castellón until 2 PM after it subsided in Valencia, where up to 400 liters/m² fell on Tuesday.

The torrential rains that struck the province of Valencia on Tuesday have left a mark, with water accumulations exceeding 400 liters per square meter in some localities. This phenomenon, triggered by an Isolated Depression at High Levels (DANA), has wreaked havoc in the region, which is currently under a high meteorological alert. However, on Wednesday, the rainfall has begun to ease in Valencia, although the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) warns that the situation remains critical in the province of Castellón.

Yesterday, several Valencian towns were affected by rains that, in many cases, surpassed the amounts typically recorded in an entire year. In Chiva, Buñol, and Turís, the rainfall amounted to 400 mm, while Requena and Utiel recorded over 300 mm and 275 mm, respectively. These figures are alarming when considering the normal annual precipitation values, which are around 60 mm per month under normal conditions.

Aemet has reported that, although the situation in Valencia is stabilizing, the rains will continue to affect Castellón until 2 PM on Wednesday, with an orange alert issued for the interior of the province. This alert indicates that accumulations of up to 100 mm could be recorded in a 12-hour period, which could lead to flash floods and further complicate the situation in the area.

Along the Mediterranean coast, alerts have been activated in various provinces due to the intense rainfall. In total, Aemet has maintained an orange alert in five meteorological zones: the northern interior of Castellón, the coastline of Barcelona, and several areas in Andalusia, where significant rainfall accumulations are expected in a short period of time. Additionally, another 125 areas have been placed under a yellow alert, indicating the possibility of storms and rain under less severe but still concerning conditions.

One of the greatest concerns associated with these phenomena is the risk of flooding, which can be caused not only by the volume of accumulated rain but also by soil saturation and insufficient drainage in many urban and rural areas. This situation demands a swift response from emergency services and civil protection, who must be prepared to act in the event of any eventuality.

On the other hand, the DANA that has triggered these intense rains has also led to a deployment of preventive measures in several regions. Local governments are on high alert and have begun to inform the population about the actions they should take to ensure their safety in the event of possible floods. Collaboration between citizens and authorities is important to mitigate the impact of these climatic events.

As the climate continues to change and extreme weather phenomena become more frequent, concerns about the ability of infrastructure to withstand such conditions are becoming increasingly evident. Meteorology and climatology experts have pointed to the need to review and adapt urban planning and drainage plans to address the new climatic reality.

Communities affected by the torrential rains should stay alert for weather updates and follow the recommendations of the authorities. Many families now find themselves in a complicated situation, with damage to their homes and uncertainty about what will come in the following days.

Finally, the meteorological situation on the Mediterranean coast reminds us of the importance of being prepared for climate extremes. The responsibility falls on both authorities and citizens to ensure that necessary measures are taken to minimize the risks associated with climatic phenomena of this magnitude. Prevention and collaboration are key to facing these challenges and protecting the population.