This comparative shows Carrer Sant Francesc, in the heart of Paiporta, through two photographs: one taken on November 1, 2024, and the other on November 16, 2024. In them we see the result of the work carried out by residents and hundreds of volunteers to remove the mud left from the flood that destroyed this and other towns south of the city of Valencia, in Spain, on October 29, 2024.

Context
On Tuesday, October 29, widespread areas in southern and eastern Spain were struck by torrential rains. The downpours and subsequent floods caused damage in nearly 80 municipalities, across Andalusia, Murcia and Castilla-La Mancha, but it was the region of Valencia that suffered the most devastating consequences. 

As of November 22, 229 deaths have been officially recorded across Spain (221 in the Community of Valencia, 7 in Castilla-La Mancha, and 1 in Andalusia), with 7 people still missing. The DANA (Isolated Depression at High Levels) triggered torrential rains that, in some areas, exceeded the average annual rainfall in just 24 hours. In the town of Chiva, 600.2 liters per square meter were recorded, while Turís set a record with 771 liters per square meter. A DANA forms when warm air from the Mediterranean meets cold polar winds, resulting in massive rain clouds, intense downpours, and sudden floods. Paiporta was one of the hardest-hit municipalities. In this town south of Valencia, at least 45 people lost their lives.

Photo Credits
November 1, 2024: Santi Palacios for Sonda Internacional
November 16, 2024: Santi Palacios for Sonda Internacional