The Generalitat Valenciana has lifted the confinement of the eight municipalities that still had mobility restrictions due to the floods caused by the DANA Adam. The decision was announced this Monday, October 19, after the Integrated Operational Coordination Center (Cecopi) evaluated the evolution of the emergency and confirmed an improvement in meteorological conditions.
The lifting of restrictions affects Bellreguard, Daimús, Miramar, Oliva and Piles, in the province of Valencia, and Xàbia, Pego and Els Poblets, in Alicante. These localities were the last to remain confined after the Generalitat had previously withdrawn the measures in the rest of the municipalities affected by torrential rains.
In addition, the regional Executive has announced the demobilization of the Military Emergency Unit (UME), which had participated in rescue and assistance work for affected people. The decision responds to the favorable evolution of the situation, although the consequences of the floods still require maintaining assistance and recovery measures.
More than 700 liters per square meter and a thousand rescues
The episode of rains has left significant floods on the southern coast of Valencia and the northern coast of Alicante. In some places, more than 700 liters of water per square meter have accumulated, which has caused overflows, flooded streets, vehicles dragged by water and residents trapped in their homes.
The emergency forced the extension of mobility restrictions to 145 municipalities in both provinces during the most complicated hours of the storm. Emergency services have had to intervene in more than a thousand incidents, with rescues of people trapped in homes, vehicles and roofs, as well as actions to remove accumulated water.
The meteorological evolution has allowed reducing protection measures, but the authorities have insisted on the importance of maintaining caution. The lifting of the confinement does not eliminate the risks derived from the floods nor does it guarantee that all roads and services are already in normal conditions.
Shelters and services affected by the floods are maintained
Despite the end of restrictions, the Generalitat maintains assistance resources for people who still cannot return to their homes. Among them are two shelters set up in Xàbia and Oliva to assist those who have had to leave their homes or cannot remain in them.
Educational activity also remains partially affected in the area. According to information published this Monday, six municipalities in Valencia and Alicante will keep classes suspended this Tuesday: Miramar, Oliva, Bellreguard, and Piles, in Valencia, and El Verger and Els Poblets, in Alicante. The decision reflects that the lifting of general restrictions does not mean the immediate recovery of all services.
Authorities have asked the population to follow the instructions of emergency services and avoid approaching riverbeds, ravines, and areas that may still be flooded. Recovery efforts must now focus on assessing damages, removing debris carried by the water, and restoring activity in the towns most affected by storm Adam.
