Ancient Roman dam saves Spanish town from devastating floods

On October 29, heavy rains hit Spain, leading to devastating flooding. Southeastern Spain is experiencing one of the greatest disasters in its modern history. Official figures indicate that at least 214 people died and more than 200 people remain missing due to the flooding, with unofficial data suggesting the number of victims may reach 500. A red level of danger was established in Valencia and an orange level in Andalusia due to the severe flooding. The government of Spain declared a three-day mourning period in response to the flooding disaster.

The Spanish government has sent thousands of troops to assist Valencian officials, marking the biggest peacetime deployment of troops in Spain's history. According to the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet), several areas of Spain were affected by a phenomenon known as DANA, which caused intense precipitation that lasted throughout the week, leading to deadly floods in regions like Valencia. Official figures indicate that 2,000 people remain missing, and it is also known that in Valencia about 2,000 people are missing. The authorities of Catalonia warned residents about the risk of hail and tornadoes in the vicinity of the province of Barcelona.

Amidst this calamity, the small town of Almonacid de la Cuba in Zaragoza was notably spared the devastation that befell many other settlements. A dam built about 2,000 years ago saved the residents of Almonacid de la Cuba from flooding during heavy rains that affected other parts of Spain. The dam, constructed in the second half of the 1st century AD during the reign of Emperor Augustus, has successfully protected Almonacid de la Cuba from flooding for centuries.

"An incredible video has emerged showing how the ancient Roman dam known as 'La Cuba' helped to save Almonacid de la Cuba from destruction during heavy rains, with footage demonstrating its effectiveness nearly 2,000 years after construction," reported kp.ru. Footage published by El Español shows the dam's operation, demonstrating how it redirected torrents of water away from buildings in Almonacid de la Cuba, preventing damage and injuries. According to El Español, the dam demonstrated its effectiveness, surpassing modern hydraulic structures.

As heavy rains lashed the area, the dam stored water up to its limit before cascading down the side, avoiding an overflow into Almonacid de la Cuba, which relieved the municipality and protected residents from flooding seen elsewhere in Spain. Spaniards were satisfied with the efficiency of the dam 2,000 years later, which was built in the second half of the 1st century AD during the reign of Emperor Augustus. As a result, Almonacid de la Cuba avoided the consequences of the flooding, unlike many other settlements. The ancient Roman dam did not help other nearby towns in Spain.

'La Cuba' is the highest Roman dam in the world and is a 2,000-year-old structure that showcases engineering brilliance. During the Muslim era (3rd century), the dam was abandoned and later was used as a diversion dam to divert flows to the surroundings of Belchite, which is still in effect today.

On the eve of the article, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia expressed condolences to the Spanish authorities in connection with the loss of life due to the natural disaster. "Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, called what happened a European tragedy and promised to provide support to Spain," according to RBC.

The floods amount to the deadliest natural tragedy in living memory in Spain, with official figures indicating at least 214 deaths and more than 200 people missing. Unofficial data suggest the number of victims may reach 500. A red level of danger was established in Valencia and an orange level in Andalusia due to the severe flooding. The government of Spain declared a three-day mourning period in response to the flooding disaster.

According to the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet), the phenomenon known as DANA caused intense precipitation that lasted throughout the week, leading to deadly floods in regions like Valencia. The authorities of Catalonia warned residents about the risk of hail and tornadoes in the vicinity of the province of Barcelona. Official figures indicate that 2,000 people remain missing, and it is also known that in Valencia about 2,000 people are missing.

Amidst widespread devastation, the ancient Roman dam at Almonacid de la Cuba stands as a testament to enduring engineering. Its successful protection of the town during Spain's worst floods in living memory highlights the remarkable effectiveness of ancient infrastructure, even surpassing modern hydraulic structures. As heavy rains continue to pose threats, the legacy of 'La Cuba' offers both relief to local residents and inspiration for future engineering solutions.

Sources: kp.ru, RBC, Izvestia.ru

This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq