NASA satellites capture the before and after of Valencia’s DANA events, and the images are chilling

view from space can give us a good idea of ​​the scale of natural disasters. In Spain, for example, we saw this during the La Palma volcano eruption. Now a geologist and scientific communicator Nahum Mendez Chazarra posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account several NASA satellite images showing before and after DANA from Valencia.

Heavy floods have led to expansion a lot of dirtboth by land and sea. Many urban areas were covered in sediment from the Turia spill, but some were also deposited in the sea. All this can be seen in satellite images, in which the province of Valencia in some of its regions is covered with a large brown layer.

This helps us understand the gravity of the situation. But, interestingly, these images also help to understand that DANA Valencia It could have been even worse. Let’s see the reasons.

DANA Valencia colors the map brown

Images taken with NASA Landsat satelliteslocated at Altitude 700 km above Earthshow the valence band two weeks before and immediately after DANA.

It is observed how Turia spill It covered large areas of muddy terrain, turning the area brown. The boundary between land and sea, very clear before DANA in Valencia, becomes increasingly blurred as the mud spreads across the area.

But these images also show something very interesting: Turia’s new channel. Heavy rains led to river flooding break throughforming a new channel.

It is clear here that the situation could have been worse. And to understand this, we have to go to 1957.

Another great flood

He October 14, 1957a big cold drop fell 630 mm water about Valencia. Everything happened in just 48 hoursin which two major floods occurred due to the Turia flood. These flooded bridges that could not withstand the weight of the water, demolished slums, destroyed houses, emptied cattle pens, killing all their animals, and also left many casualties. It is estimated that up to 300 people may have died as a result. another big flood.

To prevent this from happening again, it was decided to change the course of the Turia River. Instead of crossing the city of Valencia, it was made to border her. This area remains dry for most of the year, but during heavy rainfall it fills with sufficient reserves to avoid flooding.

DANA’s latest project in Valencia was accompanied by horrendous floods. But, according to many experts, the situation could have been worse if the river had not been redirected. This is evidenced by this new channel that we see in satellite images, formed in a space that was left to grow and not overflow.

But obviously this was not enough. And in the end, water always finds its way. This is why additional measures need to be taken. It is not enough to trust the river bed drawn back. 70 years old. Governments and businesses also need to take the necessary measures to ensure the safety of the population. Just as the 1957 flood was an example, let us hope that the nightmare created by this disaster will teach those who made mistakes not to repeat the same mistakes again. The lives of many people depend on this.