Photo 2: This photo from the back of the house reveals the ghastly truth. The hole runs under the whole building, which is propped up on flimsy stilts. A deep ravine lies directly behind. Some 400 dwellings like this were either swept away by flood waters or severely damaged during the storm of the 31st of March 2002 in Santa Cruz. It does not often rain but when it does, it is with a vengeance, turning mountain rivulets into raging torrents. That is why jerry-built dwellings like this are a recipe for disaster when major storms eventually strike. As usual, Tenerife's politicians shrugged off responsibility, blaming the whole thing on the weathermen. Bear it in mind the next time you see pictures of sun-drenched Tenerife in the tourist brochures..

Urban Development