FLASH FLOOD IN VALENCIA - OVERSEAS REPORTS

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0Hqk4ufCI8
Interactive task: https://twee.ai/l/subkf1
Listen to NPR News (USA): https://www.npr.org/transcripts/nx-s1-5176508

WARM UP: You will watch a video from BBC News reporting the consequences
of flash floods in Valencia. Before you watch the video, answer the following
questions:

1 What latest news have you heard about the natural

disaster in Valencia/weather forecast?

2 What other natural disasters have happened in

your country?

3 How important is it for individuals/politicians to take personal responsibility

in the aftermath of a disaster?

TASK 1: Watch the first three minutes of the video. First, summarize its
content. Then, answer the following questions:

1 What led to the diversion of 50 flights at the main airport in Barcelona?

2 Why was a red alert issued by the Spanish Weather Service for the region?

3 What actions did residents of the town of Paiporta take in response to the
slow government reaction?

4 How has the extreme weather affected transportation in Catalonia,

particularly around Barcelona?

5 What measures have authorities advised people to take in light of the

torrential rain and its impact on travel?

6 What is the current status of the recovery effort and cleanup operation in
Valencia following the devastating rainstorm?
TASK 2: Watch the second part of the video. First, summarize its main points.
Then, answer the questions:

1 How has Rafael's hometown, Catarroja, been affected by the floods in

Valencia?

2 Why did Rafael decide to stay with a colleague in Paterna Village instead of
returning to his hometown?

3 What was the condition of Rafael's street when he visited it on Saturday after
the floods?

4 What concerns does Rafael have regarding the missing people from the
flood-affected area?

5 How does Rafael feel about the response of the authorities towards the flood
situation?

6 Why does Rafael feel upset with the authorities rather than angry, according
to his interview?

TASK 3 - DEBATE
Let's Tackle These Conversations! Work in pairs/groups. 1 or 2 people in the
group will defend one view to improve the city/town, whilst other members in
the group will support other ideas to make a better city/town.

A We need to divert the traffic away from the flood-prone areas to ensure
safety during storms. That's a brilliant idea; it could save lives and minimise
damage.
B That building over there looks completely derelict; it's such an eyesore in
the community. It's a shame, really; with a bit of investment, it could be
transformed into something useful.
A This watercourse hasn't been maintained in years; it's overgrown and
blocked. We should really address that before it creates a serious issue during
heavy rain.
B The new drainage system they've installed seems to be working well, doesn't
it? Yes, it prevented any flooding last time it rained heavily.

A Attracting inward investment is crucial for developing sustainable

infrastructure in the city. Absolutely, without it, we won't see any significant
improvements.
B We need to devise a comprehensive plan that incorporates eco-friendly
practices from the start. Agreed, the sooner we start planning, the better
prepared we'll be for future challenges.

A That neighbourhood is looking quite run-down; it could do with some

revitalisation. I know, the lack of care is really affecting the local community
spirit.
B The area has been neglected for far too long; it's high time we took action.
Definitely, we should organise a community meeting to discuss our options.

A I've heard that area is becoming quite up-and-coming; new cafes are
popping up everywhere. Yes, it's exciting to see such growth and interest in
the community.
B The city's sprawling nature is becoming a real problem for transportation
and infrastructure. True, we need to find a balance between development and
sustainability.

A I've noticed they've installed a new charging station for electric vehicles near
the park. That's fantastic! It encourages more people to consider eco-friendly
transport options.
B The new cycle lane along the river is a great addition; it promotes healthier
lifestyles. I agree, and it's also a safer way for cyclists to navigate the city.

A The council has launched a pilot project to test green roofing on public
buildings. That could set a precedent for future developments if it proves
successful.
B It's impressive how these initiatives are starting to gain traction in our
community. Yes, it's a step towards a more sustainable and resilient city.
TRANSCRIPT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0Hqk4ufCI8
HOST: the main airport in Barcelona has diverted 50 flights due to land there and that's
because of a rainstorm hitting the area; this all comes after the Spanish Weather Service has
issued a red alert for the region. That's an anticipation of this kind of torrential rain that
they're starting to see, to remind you 217 people have lost their lives across the Valencia
region. Spain's civil guard says it's deployed more staff to help as Rescuers focused their
search on inundated garages to find bodies. On Monday we're seeing live pictures coming to
us from Valencia at the moment as the cleanup operation continues and it's a day after
residents of the devastated town of Paiporta, furious at the slow government response
pelted King Felipe, Queen Letizia and the Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez with mud
on Sunday. Uh, they not only pelted them with mud, they shouted at them and called them
murderers. The King later said he understood their anger. Let's bring you up to date with all
these developments and take you straight to our Spain correspondent Guy Hedgecoe who
joins us from Madrid. Uh Guy, firstly, what's happening in Barcelona right now?

GUY: Well, that extreme weather which had hit, um, the Valencia area has eased off there, but
it now seems to be hitting uh Catalonia and that uh Coastal area of Catalonia around
Barcelona in particular. That red alert has been issued by the meteorological office and there
is torrential rain right now as you mentioned. This has affected uh Barcelona airport with
flights being diverted it's affecting rail travel with several rail lines down at the moment it's
also affecting roads. The authorities there have said that people shouldn't go out and travel
in their cars or vehicles unless it's absolutely necessary, so for example, in those areas
affected people have been told not to go and uh pick up their children from school at least
for the moment, so it's a very extreme uh situation in terms of the amount of water that's
falling at the moment.

HOST: and then Valencia uh the recovery effort continues as well as the cleanup. Any news
from Valencia today Guy?

GUY: well, we don't have any change uh, fortunately, in terms of the death toll that remains uh
where it was but, the uh emergency services are working with uh members of the military uh
who've been deployed to the area both to look for um what they hope will be survivors, but
failing that the, the bodies of people who have been missing uh in recent days and they're
also um, helping with the cleanup, um, this enormous cleanup operation across Valencia.
We're told by the government that there are now 7 and a half thousand members of the
military deployed to the area a a naval warship arrived at Valencia Port earlier today with uh,
around a 100 members of the military there, um so that operation of cleaning up and looking
for missing people continues across Valencia.

HOST: Guy, thank you so much we'll be back with you throughout the day for further updates,
particularly from Barcelona.

2ND PART:
HOST: But let's speak now to Rafael Roldán who has been staying with a colleague after his
hometown Catarroja was damaged by the floods in Valencia. Good to have you with us,
Rafael. How does it look outside today?

RAFAEL: hi, thank you.Uh, well, uh my, My town Catarroja is covered in mud, and I went there
on, on Saturday, because right now I'm living with my workmate in Paterna, a village North
West of Valencia which has been untouched by the by the floods, because there I don't have
water supply, I, I, I don't have uh food and um electricity, so now I'm living here. And on
Saturday I went there and my street was still covered in mad and, and there was in my street,
there was no one, I mean, no rescue workers, no firemen, no policemen, uh no civil guard, um
so well,uh, the situation, I am aware that rescue workers are doing their best to rebuild and to
recover and to clean up the situation. But so far things are, are going uh, quite very very
slowly.

HOST: Yeah, Rafael, what are people saying about those who might still be missing?

RAFAEL: Well uh, here many people, we think that we should already have a report of the
missing people because we don't know how many missing people there are, there is none, uh
there is not an official report about that. On social media we have read that maybe around
2,000 people are, are missing, but we don't know it for sure, we need authorities to tell us
exactly how many people are are still missing.

HOST: We saw the frustration and desperation of people yesterday, particularly when the
King and Queen were visiting as well. Are you one of those Rafel that feels angry with the
authorities and the response?

RAFAEL: I feel uh upset, uh because uh, I feel that uh authorities uh are not doing their best,
they are telling us that, that they are doing their best, but we feel that this is not the case
because, I mean, on the following day of the floods there was no one in the streets, we had
no water supply, no electricity, no food. There were, there was looting, all the supermarkets
were were looted and we, we felt abandoned completely abandoned, so, uh, we feel upset,
there is a sort of political game, they, they, it's, it looks like they try to blame each other or or
something, or or they try to hide that they are trying to blame each other, but we still don't
know what's going on. I feel more upset than angry to be honest.

HOST: Rafael, do stay well and uh, you know, I hope that some more help starts to arrive
shortly. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us Rafael Roldán.
And in terms of Barcelona we'll continue to keep you up to date with developments from
there as that red alert has been issued in Barcelona is the rain, the torrential rain heads
North.