The isolated depression at high levels, known as dana or cold drop, has hit Spain causing at least 95 deaths, an undetermined number of missing persons, and enormous damage from torrential flooding in the Valencia Community and Castilla-La Mancha. The Government will declare three days of mourning after what they have described as the "cold drop of the century".
The regional Valencia government has confirmed that at least 92 people have lost their lives due to the flooding in the province of Valencia, with 40 of these victims in the municipality of Paiporta. In just one day, 445.04 liters per square meter fell in Valencia, the highest amount recorded in that region since 1966.
The torrential rains have also affected Castilla-La Mancha, where two deaths and five missing persons have been reported. In Malaga, a 71-year-old man died in the hospital after being rescued from his flooded home.
According to National Geographic, a dana is an isolated depression at high levels that causes a drop in temperatures and torrential rains when interacting with warm air in the Mediterranean. This phenomenon can be extremely dangerous as it leads to flooding.
Due to the dana, more than 70 roads have been affected, train services on certain routes were suspended, and diversions and cancellations of flights have been recorded at airports. The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, has been overseeing the crisis situation, along with King Felipe VI who expressed his condolences and solidarity.
Pedro Sánchez plans to visit Valencia in the coming days, while it is expected that the Council of Ministers will declare a severely affected area due to a civil protection emergency in the impacted areas.
