Military personnel collaborate in clean-up tasks following the flooding caused by the DANA
The most important military mission ever carried out in Spain has now been going on for a month, ever since the DANA devastated the province of Valencia, with more than 3,000 interventions. As of today, the Armed Forces are operating with 8,500 troops and more than 2,000 means, providing continuity to this mission that will be extended for as long as necessary for all the affected areas to be back to normal.
During this time, more than 17,000 troops from the three armies and the Royal Guard, coordinated by the Military Emergency Unit (UME), have been working in different shifts, on all the tasks necessary to counteract the effects of the storm.
In the first phase, priority was given to search and rescue, which was carried out by ground teams, helicopters with cranes, aerial rescue teams for inaccessible areas and boats, and dog teams. All this made it possible to rescue more than a hundred people. It was also necessary to set up a morgue, which made it possible to accompany the deceased and their families with the necessary respect.
Attention to the population was and continues to be another priority, which has consisted in the distribution of basic necessities: almost 90,000 litres of water, 70,000 kilograms of food, as well as tools, hygiene items and clothing. More than 700 medical interventions have also been carried out on the civilian population.
As a result of the emotional impact of the disaster, psychological support has been provided to civilians, many of whom have been affected by the loss of loved ones, their homes or livelihoods. The Armed Forces have also moved civilians to safe areas and health centres, some of them to receive daily treatment for chronic illnesses.
In terms of infrastructures, the cleaning and drainage work in tunnels, collectors and affected urban areas, as well as homes, businesses and garages, was particularly significant and demanding, and was preceded by an assessment of the structures and the presence of toxic gases. Also of note are the removal of debris, sludge, decomposing organic products and vehicles. In this regard, a notable 800 vehicles have been removed, 40 of them by external loading of heavy helicopters (Chinook model) because they were located in inaccessible terrain or riverbeds.
Logistics and technology
Along with the logistical effort, which has been essential to ensure the care of the population and of those deployed, the use of the most advanced technologies has been key to the reconnaissance and monitoring tasks.
Using drones, helicopters and diving equipment, ground, aerial and aquatic surveys have been carried out to locate missing persons and to quantify damage.
Likewise, the return to normal life involves the recovery of mobility and access, which in the case of Buñol, Cheste, Picanya and Ribarroja has been achieved thanks to the installation of the semi-permanent Mabey-type bridges, which will remain in use until the structures that disappeared in the floods are rebuilt.
Non official translation