Spanish political debate over flood prevention

Political leaders in Spain have raised concerns regarding flood prevention infrastructure in the Valencian Community. The People's Party of Castellón (PPCS) called for the Spanish government to urgently execute pending works in riverbeds and ravines to protect municipalities such as Burriana, Nules, and Moncofa from heavy rain events like DANA. The PPCS demanded a clear execution plan and funding from the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Júcar Hydrographic Confederation.

Following a near-overflow of the Poyo ravine, Vox leader Santiago Abascal criticized the government's inaction, describing it as an ‘offense to citizens’. Abascal attributed the lack of necessary hydraulic works to ‘climate fanaticism’ blocking infrastructure development.

In response to the ongoing situation, the regional government in the Valencian Community has called on Aemet to revise weather alert thresholds to more accurately reflect local rainfall realities.

Adding to these demands, Marta Barrachina, president of the Diputación de Castellón, criticized the Spanish government for failing to respond to a meeting request submitted a year ago. This requested meeting with the Ministry for the Ecological Transition was intended to analyze flood protection infrastructures within the Xúquer Hydrographic Demarcation. Barrachina noted that several municipalities, including Nules, Moncofa, Burriana, Benicarló, and Alcalà de Xivert, have priority infrastructure projects currently pending execution. The provincial leadership emphasized that investment is essential to protect these populations from the risks of river overflows and water accumulation.