The Spanish Water Cycle, From Aridity to Downpour

“L’aigua no cau del cel”—Water does not fall from the sky. Up to a few weeks ago, this was the harsh reality facing Spaniards, who were dealing with closed communal showers, undrinkable tap water, and stagnant swimming pools, all whilst bearing the stifling heat of Spanish summers. Catalonia, the region most affected by droughts, declared a state of emergency in February of this year. This strong aridity swept over the entire nation, with regions such as Valencia and Andalusia experiencing record levels of water scarcity.

On October 29, the campaigns in these areas, reminding individuals to limit their water consumption, were upended by a shocking deluge of rain, which led to 219 deaths and 78 missing people. Across social media, there has been an influx of tragic images: videos of cars dragged away by the current, and roads swept clean by gallons of water. These pictures evoked national and international sympathy as various fundraising and volunteering initiatives were launched to aid Valencia, the main affected region.

Spain is not new to extreme weather. From 1916 to 2020, 40 major drought events were recorded in the Southern European country. However, water is integral to Spanish culture, and its scarcity has only magnified this. The legacy of Roman and Muslim cultures in Spain’s history—through aqueducts and innovations in irrigation—has shaped the understanding of water’s importance. Many have changed their habits to best preserve the little water there is, and waste is generally condemned. In contrast, the floods have perturbed many who had previously adapted to the chronic lack of water. In a single day, a year’s worth of rainfall poured down onto the region of Valencia.

This phenomenon is explained by climate change. While often referred to as global warming, scientists say that the former term is a better suited descriptor, allowing for the incorporation of harsh extremes that do not necessarily correlate with warmer weather. Studies have found that floods and droughts can coexist, either simultaneously or consecutively, explaining the situation in Spain. For example, high levels of heat bake the soil, which is then unable to absorb water. In addition, water management measures to cope with drought can magnify floods in the event of heavy rainfall. Most Spanish infrastructure is built to survive periods of intense heat, such as the large number of water reservoirs, which unfortunately lower the capacity of soils to act as a buffer against floods.

Beyond the effects on infrastructure, which left bridges dilapidated and roads damaged, the event affected the country on other levels. The cost of repairing the damage was estimated at €31.4 billion, according to The Economist. Additionally, economic activity in the affected areas has come to a halt, and no timeline has been set for the reconstruction of infrastructure that is crucial to the reinstatement of businesses. Le Monde has reported the economic impact of the shutdown as “incalculable”.

Moreover, one of the largest effects of the floods was on people and communities. The amount of deaths and missing individuals is a source of distress for many. The hotline to report missing persons has been overwhelmed, and people have turned to social media in desperation. This lingering sentiment of fear and helplessness was channeled into anger towards the Spanish King and Queen during their visit. Yet, ironically, in the midst of this tension, the floods brought about a feeling of solidarity between Spaniards. On November 9, tens of thousands gathered to march in protest of the handling of the situation by Valencia’s regional president, Carlos Mazón Guixot, and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. Shouts of “¡Solo el pueblo salva el pueblo!”—Only the people save the people!—could be heard. Many volunteer initiatives were launched, with donation points set up in cities such as Madrid and Barcelona, and posts detailing how individuals can help taking over Spaniards’ social media.

While the floods have brought about a heartwarming display of sympathy and support, they still remain a tragic reminder of the ever-increasing consequences of climate change. Extreme weather events will only occur more frequently, and it is up to the government to ensure the country and its infrastructure are able to survive.