Lashing Rains Submerge Avila, Spain's Historic City Known for Fortress Walls
Span's illustrious fortress town, Avila, submerged beneath the waters
📌 Share on Social Media: Facebook • Twitter • Whatsapp • Email • Print • Copy Link
The Spanish city of Avila, famous for its fortress walls, is grappling with an underwater crisis. Situated roughly 100 kilometers from Madrid, this city is under high alert, as per Mayor Jesús Manuel Sánchez Cabrera during televised statements. Striking visuals reveal several districts and agrarian areas surrounding the city left inundated.
The floods were set off by weeks of incessant rain, resulting in the Adaja River bursting its banks. Fearing that the melting snow in nearby mountains might aggravate the situation, the mayor sounded a warning.
Sources: ntv.de, AFP
H Religion Censorship- Evacuations were necessary at the Casa de Espiritualidad of Santa Teresa due to the floodwaters, which threatened children and supervisors.[1][2]
Infrastructure- Major roads, such as the national N-403, were temporarily closed due to high water levels.[1]- Pedestrian bridges were also shut down.[1]
Agriculture- Surrounding agricultural areas suffered damage from the floodwaters originating from the Adaja River.[5]
State of Emergency and Response- To tackle the potential disaster, Mayor Jesús Manuel Sánchez Cabrera declared a state of emergency, deeming it "one of the worst in a century."[1][2]- With residents evacuated from flooded houses, authorities mobilized, including firefighters and the military emergency unit. They worked alongside citizens using sandbags to protect vulnerable buildings like a disability hospital.[4]
Concerns and Future Risks- Officials are wary of the potential impact of melting snow from nearby mountain peaks exacerbating the flooding situation. However, cooler temperatures have slowed the melting process.[2][5]- The Duero River Basin Authority issued severe flood alerts for several rivers, including the Adaja and the Chico.[1]
Politics and Economy- These floods have reignited debates over questionable urban planning decisions in flood-prone areas like Avila, which were urbanized in spite of the known flood risks.[1]- The city's municipal council is petitioning for a declaration of the area as severely affected to secure state aid for residents and businesses impacted by the floods.[1]
[1] elpais.com[2] reuters.com[3] independent.co.uk[4] bbc.com[5] forbes.com (Image Credit: AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
- The Mayor of Avila, Jesús Manuel Sánchez Cabrera, has warned via Whatsapp of the potential aggravation of the flood situation due to melting snow in nearby mountains.
- Fearing the impact of the floods, the Casa de Espiritualidad of Santa Teresa, sheltering children and supervisors, was evacuated.
- Surrounding agricultural areas, including those near the Adaja River, have suffered damage due to the floodwaters.
