"Is Europe Ready for Climate Change?"

The floods in Spain suggest otherwise.

Analytics 10:26 31.10.2024

Following severe floods that claimed at least 92 lives, the national government shifted all blame to local authorities, pointing out that warnings were issued only after water levels had risen.

"Spain's deadliest floods in a decade show that Europe is still unprepared for the impacts of a warming atmosphere," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in response to the disaster.

"This is the dramatic reality of climate change, and we must be prepared for it," she emphasized.

The rainfall in the suburban areas around Valencia, Spain’s third-largest city, not only exposed the socialist-led government’s lack of preparedness for such events but also made them the target of criticism from the center-right opposition for failing to warn at-risk populations in time.

Local authorities in Valencia admitted that the warning message was only sent at 20:12—eight hours after the first flood reports and 10 hours after the National Meteorological Agency’s warning. This delay was described as a failure for the emergency services coordination managed by the local government.

"The situation had already escalated significantly by the time the Valencian authorities took action," stated an official from the Ministry of Ecological Transition.

The Spanish government has responsibility over regional warning systems, with the right to send emergency alerts to citizens’ mobile phones to control mobility in critical moments. When asked why there was a delay in alerting citizens to avoid travel and stay home, a government official, remaining anonymous to avoid political criticism, responded simply, "We don’t know."

Because of the delay in sending the SMS alert, people stranded in low-lying homes, on streets, in stores, and at work were essentially "trapped." This delay was fatal for many victims who couldn’t escape the floods in time.

As of yesterday afternoon, the official death toll was no less than 92, according to Spanish Minister for Territorial Policy, Ángel Víctor Torres, who said, "The scale of the damage is beyond measure." The exact number of missing persons remains unknown, underscoring the catastrophic nature of the event.

Flood experts expressed frustration with the insufficient warning system. "The high death toll signals that something went wrong," said Dr. Hannah Cloke, a hydrology professor at the University of Reading.

"This was a massive storm... We knew about the intense rainfall in advance, but our warnings didn’t reach people in time," she added. She also expressed concern that rescue workers were not adequately briefed, putting their lives at risk.

In recent weeks, several European countries have also suffered from devastating and deadly floods. Floods in Greece, Belgium, and Germany served as warnings to these nations of the rising threat posed by extreme weather patterns that have persisted for several years.

In Spain, the impact of climate change on this particular flood has not yet been measured. However, scientists note that warming is a key factor in such disasters. In August, the Mediterranean Sea recorded unprecedented temperatures, intensifying evaporation and cloud formation, leading to heavy rainfall.

"Undoubtedly, climate change is the main cause behind the increasing intensity of these coastal floods," said Friederike Otto, head of a research group studying the influence of climate change on extreme weather at Imperial College London.

Overloaded Emergency Services

In Madrid, government official María Crespo spent the afternoon anxious about her family living in Alfafar, near Valencia, who only received an SMS warning about the flood when it was already near their home.

Crespo recounted that when she spoke with her sister by phone at around 9:30 p.m., her sister assured her that everything was fine. But half an hour later, her sister called back in panic, saying that water was flooding into their home as the previously dry Turia River surged.

"Until 4 a.m., when their phone batteries died, they told me they were spending the night on the roof because their house was completely submerged," said Crespo.

Locals seeking help soon realized they would have to rely on themselves. Telephone networks were down in the evening, and the regional emergency line was overwhelmed, effectively rendering the 112 helpline unusable.

Sandra Gómez, a Valencian sociologist and Member of the European Parliament, said her husband, a teacher, had to go to work on Tuesday evening because local authorities failed to issue an alert to cancel classes. By the time the SMS alert reached him, he was already trapped on a flooded highway, with water up to his waist.

Union leaders called for an investigation into companies that required employees to work despite the adverse weather forecast.

Political Accountability

Left-wing politicians in Madrid accused the right-leaning Valencian President Carlos Mazón of failing to instruct people to stay home, reducing the number of people in harm's way. His government was also criticized for dismantling the regional emergency services units capable of quick response and coordination, as well as elite operational forces. Journalists emphasized that the Emergency Coordination Center only convened around 5 p.m.

"This disaster carries a political responsibility," said Gabriel Rufián, a deputy from the Catalan Republican Left. "Perhaps the storm was inevitable, but many victims died because they were forced to go to work or because the rescue services were ill-equipped."

Experts also noted that uncontrolled urban expansion in the Valencian region worsened the impact of the disaster. They pointed out that roads and infrastructure acted as channels for the floodwaters, accelerating the destruction.

"Climate change plays a decisive role in the scale of this natural disaster," said geologist Joan Escuer during an interview on Spanish radio. "But had we not developed infrastructure in high-risk areas and allowed people to settle there, the consequences would not have been so severe."

This tragic data was released just ahead of Ursula von der Leyen's report on "how to improve the European Union's crisis management abilities, from wars to extreme weather."

"Preparedness should be the foundation of all our actions," von der Leyen stated, pledging support to Spain in the aftermath of the catastrophe.

Von der Leyen also tasked the Commission with creating a comprehensive plan to protect Europeans from extreme weather events. However, for Spain’s flood-stricken regions, this plan may come too late. By Wednesday afternoon, the storm had shifted southward, and AEMET issued a "Red Alert" for the Cádiz region.

"We cannot let our guard down," stressed AEMET official Rubén del Campo, noting that the situation in Cádiz was unprecedented.

Source: Politico

IEPF issued a statement regarding Azerbaijani children at the UN Human Rights Council

News line

"Türkiye welcomes Azerbaijan's efforts for peace in South Caucasus"
14:53 27.05.2025
Trump could exit Ukraine talks
13:56 27.05.2025
North Korea says US 'Golden Dome' risks 'space nuclear war'
12:01 27.05.2025
Hikmat Hajiyev meets with NATO Deputy Secretary General in Brussels
11:10 23.05.2025
Foreign diplomats visit Agdam Conference Center
21:35 21.05.2025
New Secondary School Opened in Gakh by Heydar Aliyev Foundation
21:22 21.05.2025
Azerbaijani and Turkish Presidents Meet One-on-One in Nakhchivan
21:03 21.05.2025
Opening ceremony of World Cup held in Baku
20:57 21.05.2025
Pashinyan, EU Envoys Discuss Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace
19:52 21.05.2025
New Deputy Appointed to Nakhchivan Education Minister
19:20 21.05.2025
Nakhchivan marks Türkiye’s National Sovereignty and Children’s Day
17:42 21.05.2025
F.Shafiyev: Azerbaijan-Türkiye unity is example of effective cooperation
17:35 21.05.2025
Azerbaijan to build circular power link in Karabakh
17:28 21.05.2025
Azerbaijan, Italy discuss prospects for defense cooperation
17:19 21.05.2025
Ilham Aliyev addresses conference on Western Azerbaijan in Ankara
17:14 21.05.2025
Ilham Aliyev: Azerbaijan and Türkiye uphold international law for regional stability
17:03 21.05.2025
President of Cuba congratulates President Ilham Aliyev
16:58 21.05.2025
Azerbaijani President: Digitalization of the Middle Corridor is a priority
16:53 21.05.2025
Erdogan: Ilham Aliyev will be remembered as a peacemaker
16:48 21.05.2025
TDT: Azerbaijan is very important for the development of the Turkic world
16:43 21.05.2025
Georgian minister discusses cooperation with Azerbaijani ambassador
16:35 21.05.2025
Azerbaijan, Türkiye mull prospects for development of military cooperation
16:29 21.05.2025
Azerbaijan and Croatia hold political consultations
16:24 21.05.2025
GlobE Network work plan for 2025 approved in Baku
16:18 21.05.2025
Talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia may be held at level of heads of state
12:21 19.05.2025
A Meeting of Nobles exhibition to open in Shusha
12:15 19.05.2025
Azerbaijan increases construction by over 2026
12:09 19.05.2025
How does space "sound"? -NASA created "music" from the sounds of black hole
12:03 19.05.2025
Azerbaijan joins Fez Festival of World Sacred Music
11:57 19.05.2025
Azerbaijan’s parliamentary delegation starts official visit to Spain
11:53 19.05.2025
EU countries agree on big defence fund with Azerbaijan- Diplomat Says
11:48 19.05.2025
Azerbaijan,Türkiye Hold Talks on Education Sector Cooperation
11:42 19.05.2025
Azerbaijani delegation attends Russia-Islamic World: Kazan Forum 2025
11:36 19.05.2025
The official opening of the Azerbaijani carpet exhibition took place in Chisinau
11:31 19.05.2025
Press review of I.Aliyev's participation in the 6th Summit of the "European Political Union"
11:25 19.05.2025
Azerbaijani delegation participated in the International Economic Forum
11:21 19.05.2025
Azerbaijan to be represented at Astana International Forum
11:16 19.05.2025
New agreement between Azerbaijan and Pakistan in the field of plant safety
11:14 19.05.2025
Ilham Aliyev: Azerbaijani healthcare has made significant steps along a long way of development
11:08 19.05.2025
Azerbaijani Ombudsman issues appeal on Human Rights
11:03 19.05.2025
Hamısı