Last Sunday, September XNUMXrd, a powerful DANA over Madrid and Toledo, but it affected, in general, the entire center and east of Spain. He had greater strength in these two provinces, although in some points of those of Tarragona y Valencia, rainfall volumes greater than the hundred liters per square meter.
Already the predictions of meteorologists indicated that it was going to be a phenomenon of great magnitude. In fact, around 14:25 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, a alarm notice in Madrid that rang on all mobile phones. It warned citizens that, given the extreme risk of storms, they should stay at home. Next, we are going to explain everything that happened, but first we want to analyze what a DANA is.
What is a DANA?
The DANA of Madrid and Toledo is a relatively common phenomenon in our country. Its name is due to the initials of isolated depression at high levels and this already gives us an idea of what it is about. Basically, it is a low pressure system in the highest part of the atmosphere. We remind you that this type of pressure is what causes storms, while the high type gives rise to anticyclones.
But, in addition, DANA is established from the polar jet that originates in the North Pole. At the same time, it is a river of air which is at an approximate altitude of nine thousand meters and which circulates very quickly. Specifically, it does so at speeds of between 150 and 300 kilometers per hour. At the same time, this jet causes meanders that bring warm air to the pole and transfer the cold, which brings strong storms, to North America y Europe.
On the other hand, these are not like the traditional ones. Unlike them, which move towards the east, those caused by a DANA can remain stationary for several days over an area and even going backwards again (this is known as retrogression). For this reason, it is also called isolated cold squall o cold drop.
How was the DANA in Madrid and Toledo
All this happened last week causing the DANA in Madrid and Toledo, although, as we told you, it also affected other areas of Spain. Above all, it caused extensive damage in locations such as Alcanar y Tortosa, in Tarragona. However, the town that recorded the most rain was San Jose del Valle, in Cádiz, which recorded rains of 172,2 liters per square meter. As it could not be otherwise, the streets of this town were completely flooded by water and the walls of some houses fell.
However, the greatest general virulence of DANA was seen in Madrid and Toledo. It is enough for us to show you the rains recorded in some of its locations for you to realize it. Among those in the province of Madrid, Villanueva de la Cañada received 95 liters per square meter; Navacerrada Puerto 82,4 and Alpedrete 58. Regarding Toledo, the capital itself recorded 90 liters for every square meter; Mora 75,2 and Navahermosa 71.
However, in the central area of the Peninsula, the place that received the most rain was San Rafael City, in Segovia, with 157,8 liters per square meter. Some towns in Ávila also saw water falling torrentially. For example, Cebreros had 95,6 liters for each square meter; the capital itself 72,1 and Puerto del Pico 70,4.
Even the effects of DANA spread to other provinces of both Castilla y Leon and Castilla La Mancha. Thus, in Valladolid 54 liters were recorded and in Bustillo del Páramo, in León, 50. Likewise, the inhabitants of Puebla de San Rodrigo (Ciudad Real) saw how it rained abundantly, receiving 50 liters.
In short, we should not only talk about the DANA of Madrid and Toledo. In these provinces it was more virulent than in others, but it also had brutal effects on the south and east of Spain. And this leads us to talk to you about its consequences.
Consequences of DANA
The saddest thing about everything caused by this atmospheric phenomenon is that it has caused the death of at least three people. One of these victims occurred in the Toledo town of Casarrubios del Monte. This is a young man who was trapped in the elevator of his home. In that same province, but in the towns of Barga and Camarena, two other people died, one of them trapped inside his vehicle.
Precisely, to this day the search continues for another woman who was dragged away with her car and whose son has become a hero. The little boy, only ten years old, was traveling in the car with his parents and her sister (she and her mother are safe) and behaved very bravely. He remained clinging to the top of a tree throughout the night until he was rescued by emergency services.
Other people who are still being searched for seem to have had worse luck. This is the case of an elderly man affected by Alzheimer's who left the nursing home where he lived and lost track of him.
Extensive material damage
On the other hand, the DANA of Madrid and Toledo has caused enormous material damage. It is still early to evaluate them in a general way. Therefore, to give you an idea, we will give you some specific examples in certain locations.
only in the Region of Madrid, the firefighters had to carry out almost thousand five hundred interventions. Likewise, in the municipality of From the Villa, sixty people had to be housed in the sports hall when their homes were completely flooded. The waters had special virulence in the jirfa urbanization, from that same municipal area. Its inhabitants had to climb to the roofs while they saw their cars swept by the waters.
But, logically, material damage has also occurred in public centers. For example, the Community of Castilla La Mancha has reported serious damage in 39 schools of the province of Toledo. As for Madrid, 10 public hospitals have suffered incidents and 11 local health centers suffered serious damage.
For all these reasons, not only the authorities of these two autonomous communities, but also those of Valencia, Catalonia and others they have asked for help to deal with the damage. Some of them have even requested the declaration of disaster zone for their territories.
In conclusion, the DANA of Madrid and Toledo It has caused several tragedies in the form of fatalities and has caused considerable damage. Within a few hours, they registered Torrential rains. Now play rebuild everything affected.