The only question is when we are going to take it seriously

Spain, 2025. Not only do we have just lived the warmer summer registered, but It has been the worst year of floods In more than a decade. And the last example we are seeing Live and live in Ibiza. There, while the military emergency unit is deployed, firefighters are already exceeded looking for people trapped in houses, garages and vehicles.

Not a year ago of the last great flood that affected our country.

The big question. Although many areas of Aragon, the Valencian Community, southern Catalonia and even the Cartagena Campo have had very serious problems during these days, the Peninsula seems to have drawn the ex-gabrielle bullet.

Nevertheless, While Baleares suffers its impactthe question is whether all this is a coincidence or, on the other hand, the floods we are seeing and their destructive strength are aggravated by climate change. Moreover, the big question is whether we must expect more things in the future, if this is already “normal.”

The question is whether all this is aggravated by climate change and, above all, what can we expect. Or, in other words, is this the new “normality”?

And the answer is yes. Being schematic, There is more than solid evidence that global warming intensifies torrential rains. Above all, because more heat is more water vapor in the atmosphere (approximately 7% more for each grade).

That means nothing concrete and, of course, it does not mean that every year is extreme on each site. Simply, probability and intensity increase.

So this is “normal”? Thus, “Normal” in this context It is “a higher base risk.” That is, as the temperature rises, extreme events become more likely.

And as time passes, that translates into more episodes of extreme rain and compound events. Statistics are already showing it: the European Environmental Agency estimates that damage Those of the previous one will fold from this decade.

However, the central issue is that not everything is the weather. Bad decisions in urbanization, soil sealing, occupation of flood areas and infrastructure are the key piece of associated risks. And it is not something theoretical: there are many cases documented right here in Spain that They show that we have gotten In a mousetrap ourselves.

And, as we have checked again and again, it is not easy to solve. We should be prepared, “what happens is that people have a very short meteorological memory,” Emilio Rey explained. We have spoken it on other occasions, we get used to the new normality very quickly and then, citizens and administrations “think that it will not happen to them again until there is no turning back.”

Taking into account that Cold drop is nothing new“Of course, all infrastructure should be prepared.” “It cannot be built in channels. In addition you have to have them clean and this is an effort that may have to do in July or August, or every three months.” Long -term plans are needed and are usually complicated expenses to defend before public opinion.

But it seems clear that There is no other way If we want to be prepared.

Image | Wes Warren

In Xataka | The question is not when it will stop raining, the question is how much water this fall will fall