Valencia launches €4 million flood‑mitigation plan for Poyo basin after 2024 DANA

More than a year after the severe DANA storm on 29 October 2024, Valencia's water authorities are drawing up the most extensive hydraulic intervention plan to date. The Confederación Hidrográfica del Xúquer (CHX) is preparing projects worth about €4 million to lower flood risk in the Barranc del Poyo, the Magre river and the Pozalet‑Saleta system.

The plan includes widening riverbeds, removing drainage obstacles, constructing flood‑able parks and creating large Zones d'Emmagatzematge Controlat (ZEC) to temporarily store excess water. Work will focus on the Poyo ravine from Torrent through Picanya, Paiporta, Catarroja and Massanassa to its mouth at the Albufera, with additional measures for upstream sections. The Ministry for the Ecological Transition has awarded the design tasks to two temporary joint ventures.

The objective is to increase hydraulic capacity, slow water flow and provide controlled storage so that future episodes of torrential rain cause less damage to urban areas.