The town of Chiva, Valencia, has been catapulted back into a bygone era after the recent DANA storm wreaked unprecedented havoc, leaving its 17,000 residents stranded without electricity, water, or phone service since Tuesday.
The town is still isolated from the outside world. Consequently, food and water supplies are dangerously low, and emergency aid remains scarce. The severe flooding delivered 420 litres of rainfall per square metre. It has destroyed homes, vehicles, and infrastructure, and tragically, it has claimed at least ten lives—a number expected to rise as search efforts continue.
Homes cut in half and roads blocked with wreckage
Chiva’s main streets and alleys bear the scars of disaster. Homes have been cut in half, roads are blocked with wreckage, and residents are left to scavenge basic supplies. “The current split the town in two,” said Javier Costa, a local priest. “Vehicles were washed into narrow streets, trapping residents in their homes. Some couldn’t escape as the water rose.” Costa and other community members are leading efforts to find those still missing amid the wreckage, although a somber silence has blanketed the town.
Tragic loss
Local resident Jésica Besteiro recalled the tragic loss of her neighbour, Mari Luz, swept away by the torrent in her own home. “We yelled her name, hoping she’d appear, but there was nothing,” she shared, standing outside her mud-covered home, overwhelmed with grief and helplessness.
Frustration over the lack of assistance
Despite the best efforts of community volunteers, frustration over the lack of assistance is mounting. “I just need food for my baby,” Besteiro exclaimed. “Where is the help? We see the Guardia Civil, but they’re not getting their hands dirty with us.” Chiva’s Mayor, Amparo Fort, echoed her residents’ calls for assistance. He emphasised the urgent need for water, food, and medical supplies.
Residents are doing what they can, hauling water from trucks and scrambling to salvage what little they have. José, a member of the municipal brigade, voiced frustration over the lack of support: “We’re on our own here. No UME, no military support. Just us.”
Emergency response still falls short
Francisco Esteso, head of the local police, described the scene as “catastrophic,” detailing the challenges of reaching isolated areas and helping residents who urgently need medical supplies and food. “We don’t even have enough shovels to clear the mud,” he said. In response to mounting pressure, the Generalitat has requested that the Spanish Defence Ministry deploy additional military resources to Chiva, with 1,200 troops already assisting and 500 more expected to bolster relief efforts.
Despite a partial reopening of routes toward Madrid, the A3 highway towards Valencia remains blocked by twisted metal and debris, adding to the difficulty of delivering much-needed aid. The town is left to grapple with the tragedy as exhausted residents and emergency teams face the aftermath.