Generalitat completes removal of 27,000 tons of DANA waste in inland Valencia

The cleanup operation, which managed nearly 27,000 tons of debris, reeds, and other waste, concludes with the closure of collection points in Utiel and Sot de Chera.

Image of DANA debris in a rural area of inland Valencia, with heavy machinery working on removal.
IA

Image of DANA debris in a rural area of inland Valencia, with heavy machinery working on removal.

The Generalitat Valenciana has announced the completion of the waste removal operation generated by the DANA storm in the interior of the province of Valencia, following the closure of collection points in Utiel and Sot de Chera.

In total, approximately 27,000 tons of debris, reeds, and other waste have been managed and removed over recent months, as part of efforts to restore normalcy in areas affected by the flood on October 29, 2024.
The Commissioner for Recovery, Raúl Mérida, visited both sites this Wednesday and emphasized that these actions have been crucial for the territory's recovery. The Generalitat allocated over 6.3 million euros to these municipal collection points to facilitate the cleanup.

"The Consell took on this task, which is normally the responsibility of local councils, given the difficulty for municipalities to tackle it with their own resources."

Raúl Mérida · Commissioner for Recovery
The initial waste removal plan, with a budget of 250 million euros, allowed for the management of over one million tons across all areas affected by the DANA. Subsequently, the Generalitat launched a second plan, with an investment of 40 million, to remove rubble from reconstruction efforts, as well as bulky and hazardous waste.
In Utiel, 24,500 tons of mud and debris were removed with an investment of 6.1 million euros, in addition to 2,285 tons of rubble in a second phase. In Sot de Chera, waste removal included 225 tons after the flood and 85 tons of rubble from reconstruction works.
The Generalitat assures that, having completed this first stage, a new phase is now opening, focused on pending actions and strengthening the territory's resilience against future extreme weather events.