Numerous farmers and beekeepers in the Marina Alta region are struggling to access their properties due to destroyed roads and flooding caused by DANA Adam. In Pego, damage to agricultural infrastructure could take years to repair.
The extraordinary rainfall, overflowing rivers, and debris flows have had a severe impact on both agricultural operations and the beekeeping sector in the area. ASAJA Alicante has warned that the damage assessment is still provisional, with initial reports indicating that approximately 1,000 beehives have been affected in several municipalities.
In Pego, the damage includes collapsed margins, land displacement, broken irrigation pipes, impassable roads, and the destruction of crops and fencing. Many farmers and beekeepers are still unable to reach their operations due to the wrecked roads, road closures, and flooded areas. Consequently, the true extent of the damage will not be known until access to the farms is possible.
According to initial notifications from ASAJA Alicante's beekeeping sector, around 1,000 beehives have been swept away or buried under collapsed walls due to the rains. This figure is based on reports from professionals who have managed to access their sites and may increase as inspections are conducted in inaccessible areas. Some beekeepers have lost all their hives.
The first reports have come from Pego, Sanet i Negrals, and El Verger in Alicante, as well as Oliva and Marchuquera in Valencia. The DANA has also affected nearby localities in the Marina Alta and Safor regions, despite being in different provinces.
Vicent Dominguís, a representative of ASAJA Alicante's rice sector, who also cultivates avocados, oranges, and mandarins, highlighted the numerous collapses of margins, land displacement, broken irrigation pipes, impassable roads, destruction of seedlings, and fallen fences in Pego. Overflowing streams and rivers have washed away soil and materials, while large amounts of water have flowed towards the Marjal.
Access to certain areas of the Marjal de Pego-Oliva, which collects water from the valley, has not yet been possible, preventing a full assessment of the damage. Citrus fruits dominate in Pego, followed by avocados and rice.
ASAJA warns that repairing roads, margins, pipes, and fencing will be complex, and the accumulated damage could take years to rectify. The organisation is calling for the aid announced by the Conselleria to consider the damages suffered in Marina Alta, as well as the specific needs of beekeeping, which has been particularly affected by the loss of hives and difficulties in accessing sites.
Furthermore, ASAJA insists that the assessment must include farms that have yet to be reached to ensure that affected professionals are not excluded from support measures. The organisation also considers it a priority to repair rural roads and agricultural infrastructure to restore activity and prevent further crop losses due to lack of access.
