October 2024 marked a dark chapter in the history of the Valencian Community when a catastrophic flood swept through, resulting in the loss of 228 lives. This disaster highlighted a critical question: Who was responsible for managing the risk?

José Ángel Núñez, the head of Climatology at the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) in the Valencian Community, provided insights into the event during his testimony before a judge investigating the tragedy. He detailed the formation of this severe weather phenomenon, known as a cold drop.

Núñez emphasized that while Aemet's role is to issue warnings, the task of risk management falls upon the shoulders of the Generalitat Valenciana and emergency bodies like Cecopi. These entities bear the weight of safeguarding the community against such natural calamities.

Photo: Matias Chiofalo (Europa Press)