Accusing Each Other, Spanish Deputy PM Blames Climate Change For Valencia Flash Floods

JAKARTA - Spanish Deputy Prime Minister Total Ribera, who is competing for an important position in the European Commission, defended the country's way of dealing with deadly flooding last month in Valencia. He said climate change was the main cause of the disaster.

Speaking to lawmakers, Ribera, who is also the minister of the environment and energy, said additional defenses against the long-delayed floods in Valencia will most likely not prevent the worst flooding-related disaster in Spanish history as the defense is designed for smaller disasters.

"Efforts like this are clearly not enough to stem the swiftness of flood water," he said.

But Ribera acknowledged these efforts could limit the impact of flooding that killed more than 220 people, wiped out bridges and roads, and destroyed thousands of houses.

The main opposition party, the People's Party (PP), accused Ribera of not acting and ignoring her duties and trying to hinder her appointment as European Commissioner in charge of environmental policies and business competition.

The nomination has not been approved by the European Parliament.

The central government said the daera government, led by PP Carlos Mazon, was responsible for the slow response to warnings issued by state weather experts and hydrography.

Mazon said the information he received was not enough, inaccurate and too late to issue a warning to residents.

Local governments are said to be responsible for disaster management in Spain, but the incident quickly caused games to blame each other between left and conservative minority governments.

Ribera said Spain should increase the capacity of its officials to respond to the increasing threat of climate events.

Action protocols, regulations and warnings must be adjusted to climate risks. But there's no point in having all the necessary information if those who have to respond don't know how to do it, "he said.