Mallorca has a problem, and it's not just the overcrowded beaches or the tourist hotspots. No, it lies in the abandoned and often forgotten torrents that run through the island like veins. After the tragic floods in Valencia, in which more than 200 people lost their lives, the Balearic government finally realized that there was an urgent need for action. And to be honest, it's about time.
Forgotten water veins and the consequences
The Torrent Groswhich was once a living river, is now often just a sluggish trickle that sees more concrete than water. Yet it has the potential to rush over the island like a force of nature during extreme rainfall - and with destructive force. However, the problem lies not only in the water that flows through the torrents, but also in the sealed surfaces around them. Mallorca has built in recent decades, often too much and often too close to these natural waterways. Flooding is therefore almost inevitable.
More money, more green - but is that enough?
The Balearic government has announced that the Investments in torrents to double. Renaturation is the magic word: the concrete channels are to disappear, natural bank planting with shrubs and trees is to slow down the water, and wide river beds could help to reduce the risk of flooding. The focus is particularly on the Torrent Gros, which stretches from Esporles to Marratxí. Green corridors could be created here that not only absorb water, but also benefit local residents.
An example to copy
There is already a small glimmer of hope in Marratxí: a section of the Torrent Gros has been renaturalized. Stones and shrubs have replaced the concrete, a cycle path invites you to take a stroll and the riverbed can absorb more water when it rains. However, these measures have so far been the exception. Many other torrents are still sewage channels or have simply been forgotten.
The tragedy in Valencia as a wake-up call
The floods in Valencia have shown what can happen when nature is ignored. Within a few hours, streets turned into raging rivers, houses were flooded and people lost their lives. A wake-up call for Mallorca: "We have to act before we become a headline ourselves," says a government spokesperson. But the question remains as to whether the planned measures can be implemented quickly enough - and whether they are sufficient.
Building bans and green visions
Another point of discussion: shouldn't there finally be Building bans in floodplains give? This question is causing heated debates in the Balearic parliament. While environmentalists are pushing to create clear rules, investors see their projects under threat. Yet this is precisely where the solution could lie: less sealing, more space for water, more space for nature.
A model for the future?
If implemented consistently, the government's plans could not only make Mallorca safer, but also set an example for other Mediterranean islands. After all, there are many torrents - and they all have the potential to turn from threats into green lifelines. We can only hope that the tragedy in Valencia will provide the necessary impetus to finally get things moving.
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