Overview
- The October 29, 2024 DANA devastated parts of Valencia and killed 231 people, and Mayor Lorena Silvent says the slow recovery process now means Catarroja could need 14 years to return to normal.
- Central ministries have pledged large sums for recovery — €138 million from the Ministry of Territorial Policy and €70 million from the Ministry for Ecological Transition — but municipal data show project execution at about 1 percent.
- Catarroja reports 38 project memorias valued, 23 approved and a €25.4 million set of prioritized works that include the Teatre Auditori, a covered pool, an adult school and Plaza Mayor.
- Sewer improvement works worth €5.7 million funded by the Ministry for Ecological Transition are due to start soon, but the mayor says slow approvals, cautious municipal officials and difficulty hiring technical staff are the main bottlenecks.
- Silvent is calling for an extraordinary, faster execution model for the ten worst-hit towns but the Ministry of Hacienda resists emergency procedures because it says such shortcuts could jeopardize European funds and trigger sanctions.