The Tragic Tale of the Turia River Floods
The child came home from school and noticed something strange. His parents were nervously passing the black bakelite phone in the hallway, the father more agitated than the mother, both raising their voices in their common language that the children understood but rarely spoke. That common language was Valencian, and the “conference calls,” as they were called then, were mainly reserved for family members, all of whom were settled in Valencia, except for them, in the capital, and in some other large town in the south of the province, also nostalgically referred to as the “Kingdom of Valencia.” My father, who sometimes had a playful temperament, would say, when impatient with some childhood mischief, that I, being Valencian on both sides of my family, was the first Alicante to carry Nord-Valencian surnames, “with all that entails,” which, at such a young age and little experience, I naturally did not know what it meant. But I wouldn’t be quiet about it: “I’m from Elche, I’m from Elche!” that uncommon participle had a prehistoric glamour to my ears.
The Devastation of 1957
Today, we cannot easily laugh at those innocent territorial jokes. The lands of Valencia, Murcia, Alicante, so beautiful and warm, so fertile, have been severely wounded, and it is urgent and necessary to find a way to heal and revive them. This should be the last time a flood infiltrates our homes, the last cold snap that takes away our means of transportation as if they were paper boats, to the final shipwreck. The last time we are macabrely forced to use an ugly acronym like “dana.” And above all, this should be the last time water finds no resistance in the solid ground of so many ramblas that, when they release their long-awaited liquid onto the fields and streets, turn it into a deadly burden.
Memories of Tragedy
A few days ago, a friend of mine of the same age who no longer lives in Valencia recounted her memories (her dreams?) of the first major flood of the Turia River, in 1957. She did not return from her convent school that day when my parents anxiously called our relatives. My friend was safe in the heart of the capital, watching the rain fall from her window, as her very cautious mother had picked her up in advance from the boarding school she attended, and so to speak, rescued her from the waters that also fell heavily, although with less fury and fewer casualties than in this most painful occasion of November 2024.
The Aftermath
My initial scene of agitated family tradition with the wall phone included had a precise date, that of October 14, 1957, which I remember well, just like my friend, not because we were both prodigiously memorable. A day of destruction that eventually necessitated the elimination of the lively riverbed in the center, turning it into a futuristic park, with grand sculptures, not all disproportionate. The second loss my friend and I suffered in privacy or selfishness: we would not have a shared birthday party four days after such a tragedy.
A Tragic Decision
When the voices on both sides of the telephone line faded, I learned in Alicante what had happened and was still happening in Valencia, agitating my parents so gravely: on that same day, October 14, the Turia River overflowed due to the rainfall, destroying the riverbed, which was generally gentle and even affable, as I remember it. The rest is in the history books: 81 people perished, and the damages were extensive. And so, after some hesitation, an official commission appointed by Franco’s government decided to divert the river, taking it out of the capital, which lost the charm of navigable cities with ducks and even swimmers, but guaranteed in return the salvation of unsuspecting children and strollers.
The Power of Water
Water exerts a spell over us that I do not equate with any other force of nature. But its beauty also depends on the mystery of what it conceals and what it can unleash suddenly.
There was a time that I have known when processions were held and prayers were said to the saints to make it rain. The saint in question or the required virgins did not always mediate their moisture to everyone’s liking. Today, ministers are requested, which, in my opinion, is an advancement, as Shakespeare reminded us in a famous female monologue that “Mercy is not strained. / It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven / Upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed: / It blesses him that gives and him that takes.”
Conclusion
The tragic events of the Turia River floods in 1957 and the more recent devastation in 2024 serve as poignant reminders of the destructive power of nature and the need for effective measures to mitigate such disasters. As we reflect on the past and look to the future, it is crucial to prioritize the safety and well-being of communities in flood-prone areas and implement sustainable solutions to prevent similar tragedies from reoccurring. By learning from history and working together, we can build a more resilient and prepared society for generations to come.
FAQs
What were the consequences of the 1957 Turia River floods?
- 81 people perished
- Extensive damages were caused
- An official commission decided to divert the river
How did the community respond to the floods?
The community rallied together to support those affected by the floods, with emergency services working tirelessly to rescue and assist those in need. Additionally, long-term measures were put in place to prevent future flooding disasters.