Spain Braces for Severe Weather as DANA Phenomenon Triggers Alerts Across Multiple Regions
On Tuesday evening, the Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) issued a weather alert for nine regions of the country, highlighting the potential for severe weather due to a dangerous phenomenon known as DANA (isolated depression in the upper levels of the atmosphere). This weather event is particularly concerning in Malaga on the southern coast and Tarragona near Barcelona in the northeast, both areas marked under a red alert, the highest level of warning.
In response to the anticipated extreme weather, regional administrations have mobilized various precautions aimed at mitigating potential damage. This proactive approach follows the catastrophic floods that struck Valencia and surrounding municipalities two weeks ago, resulting in over 200 fatalities.
The alerts relate to the formation of DANA, which typically emerges during the autumn months across the Iberian Peninsula. These systems consist of masses of cold air situated high in the atmosphere, which can create significant atmospheric instability and thunderstorms when combined with warmer air below. While the DANA developing currently is anticipated to be less intense than the previous one, the uncertainties surrounding its potential impact are considerable.
Local governments have responded to strong criticism regarding the management of the earlier flooding in Valencia, specifically regarding delays in issuing alerts and taking action. This past Saturday, around 130,000 people participated in a demonstration in Valencia, calling for accountability and the resignation of the regional center-right administration.
Both Tarragona and Malaga are still reeling from the consequences of the October DANA, which significantly affected the Valencia region as well. As a precautionary measure, classes in schools and universities in these cities, as well as numerous nearby municipalities, have been suspended for Wednesday. The regional administrations of Andalusia and Catalonia, where Malaga and Tarragona are located, respectively, have utilized the EsAlert system to notify residents in at-risk areas about the impending weather threats.
Authorities are advising residents to limit car travel and defer non-urgent visits. On Tuesday night, several flights departing from airports in the Balearic Islands were canceled due to heavy rainfall. In one indication of the seriousness of the situation, the Andalusian government has recommended that approximately 3,000 residents from towns severely impacted by the previous October floods, including Malaga, evacuate their homes.
The weather alert encompasses various levels—yellow, orange, and red—across regions including much of Andalusia and Catalonia, as well as parts of the Valencia Community, the Balearic Islands, Asturias, Cantabria, Galicia, Castilla and León, and Murcia. The intense scrutiny of disaster management practices and the government's readiness to respond to natural crises remains a pressing public concern as Spain prepares for another possible weather catastrophe.
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