As we mark the fifth anniversary of the DANA, storms that ravaged the region causing serious damage across the entire Vega Baja, the Orihuela council has demanded the completion of structural works necessary to avoid catastrophes such as those that we saw in 2019.
“Without the remedial measures we have been demanding since the flood of 1987, the Rambla de Tabala, Rambla de Abanilla and clearance of the river channels, we cannot be at peace because we are still no further forward,” said the Emergency Councillor, Victor Valverde, from the tiny pedanea of Media Legua, which was considered to be ‘ground zero’ of the floods in September 2019.
Five years on “we still call for structural improvements from the competent administrations, because those that are still considered to be the most important have not yet been carried out,” said the councillor.
Valverde did thank the Generalitat Valenciana, however, for actions undertaken. and for the planned investment of 7 million euros to carry out the dredging of the Segura River.
Local pedaneo, José Francisco Navarro, remembered those days 5 years ago, where “we had to help each other to get out of the houses because the priority was to save lives, and we lost everything, because the water destroyed the houses and we had nothing left.”
“But, thanks to all the help received from the Council, the security forces and others, our neighbours, and the solidarity of all the people, we were able to recover some normality withing a few weeks.”
The mayor, Pepe Vegara, said that “everyone remembers, and that is why we are here commemorating those dark days, because every time the rains fall, we are afraid and that it all going to be repeated again.”
He added that “the way to avoid this fear is for the administrations that have responsibilities for the treatment of ramblas, rivers and flood protection to take the necessary actions,” especially in reference to the Segura Hydrographic Confederation (CHS).
Vegara said that the City Council “will not stop demanding these measures. The Valencian Generalitat and the CHS both have commitments to us and those commitments must be carried out.”
