Reflections on the DANA Tragedy
The hours leading up to the **tragedy** caused by the **DANA** (a cold drop phenomenon) were marked by apparent calm, a sense of routine, and even an unconscious joy reminiscent of any classic **horror story** before the “monster” makes its appearance.
Voices from the Event
“We were talking about **Halloween**, about costumes and tickets for the party we wanted to attend,” recalls Aitana. “Upon leaving class, I received a message from my boxing coach; the training was canceled due to severe weather alerts. That afternoon, I took a long nap and woke up to complete some **Spanish homework**,” shares Miquel. “I had a snack and went upstairs to do my homework. I was focused until I made a mistake on a word and went to my sisters’ room to find an eraser. While I was searching, the doorbell rang. I **sensed** something was wrong,” recounts S.T.
Accidental Journalism
These are some testimonials featured in “**DANA**,” a book that compiles the “mud chronicles” written by 13 students from the **Berenguer Dalmau Institute** in Catarroja, who experienced the catastrophe firsthand on October 29. According to **Barlin Libros**, the publisher, it’s described as “a book of accidental journalism that shows us, without pretense, how those dreadful hours unfolded from the very heart of the tragedy.”
Community Recovery Efforts
A portion of the profits from the book will be allocated to rebuilding the school’s library, which was completely destroyed by the flood.
Documenting the Experience
The initiative’s driving force is **Professor Abili Jurado**, who encouraged students to write their accounts as part of a project for their **Research Project** course. What started as a classroom activity transformed into a **moving collective work**. “The chronicles were written in December, weeks after the disaster, when in-person classes resumed at a concerted center in the municipality,” explains Jurado.
Bracing for Disaster
The book is structured into four chronological sections: “**Until the Water Arrives**, “The Evening of the 29th”, “The Day After the Tragedy”, and “Days After the DANA.” “It is shocking to read what our youth witnessed, and even more the way they recount it,” the professor highlights.
Moments of Panic
Aitana recalls, “At 4:00 AM, we heard noises and banging. It was the girl from the optics shop who was trapped and wanted to escape. We thought about how we could help her, but it was impossible. Eventually, we went back to bed to try to rest.”
The Parent’s Dilemma
Paula narrates how her father wanted to return home despite the danger: “He couldn’t bear the thought of my mom and sister being alone at home during this **hell**, and he insisted on going back. Luckily, I was with him to bring him back to reality: ‘Dad, calm down. If we go home, we’re just stepping into the lion’s mouth.’”
Survival Stories
Noor describes her survival: “Since the water reached almost to my shoulders, I decided to enter a property whose door had been broken by the force of the water. Later, the ground floor of the building flooded, so I decided to go up and ring the doorbell of several neighbors to see if they would let me in until everything calmed down, but nobody opened their door.”
Lessons from Youth
Though the texts have an **amateur style**, the publisher emphasizes that it is precisely this **spontaneity** that lends them authenticity and strength: a **raw**, direct, and poignant view. Professor Jurado asks us to learn from his students, who, “to the best of their abilities, are trying to recover their zest for life.” For him, one of the main objectives of “**DANA**” is to highlight the resilience of youth that, although labeled as a “**glass generation**,” has shown itself to be incredibly tough.
The Aftermath of DANA
As the **Berenguer Dalmau Institute** strives to rise from the ashes of this tragedy, the students’ accounts provide a unifying narrative of hope. They **document** not only the events of that harrowing day but also the **strength of character** inherent within their generation.
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