Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 10^th January 2024

Good morning. A very changeable week as far as the weather is concerned. The start of the month was wet and relatively cool, followed by a few days of colder and dryer weather, then yesterday and today much warmer, and then from later today the expected arrival of the polar air mass which is forecast to bring temperatures as low as minus -7C in some areas of the north. The temperature variation has been pronounced, with temperatures yesterday some 5 – 6C higher than Monday.

Related to this was the social media debate on whether or not the IPMA yellow level snow warning of 2cms of snow at 600/800 metres was justified in the two districts concerned. Meteo Trás os Montes FB group – pointed out that there were no models to justify the issuing of this warning. The ECMWF forecast charts (used by IPMA) did clearly showed snow in Bragança and Vila Real districts, but at depths less than 2 cms and without the above sea level specified.  On checking the IPMA criteria for the issue of snow warnings below 1000 metres, the criteria is 1 – 5 cms in depth. Snow did in fact fall above 1000 metres in several areas in the extreme north east, but not at lower levels.

It is always a difficult to get forecasting spot on as there are so many factors and last minute variables involved. Under estimating immediately invites criticism and could put lives in danger – over estimating runs the risk that citizens do not value warnings when it is really necessary.

On Monday we reported that the Portuguese Environment Agency hopes to present a contingency plan this month for new water consumption rules in the Algarve, which is experiencing the worst drought on record. Speaking to Lusa, APA vice-president José Pimenta Machado admitted that the contingency plan will penalize agriculture more, but the quotas have not yet been defined and will be coordinated with local entities.

He added that this year, in the Algarve, is going through the worst drought ever, with the lowest levels of reservoir reserves ever and the same thing in groundwater”, a “consequence of ten years of drought”. In response the president of the Algarve Intermunicipal Community (AMAL), António Miguel Pina, stated that the situation is very worrying. We are close to a catastrophic situation and we have to start saving water seriously”. Safe Communities has regularly pointed out that everyone needs to do more to conserve water. This issue has dragged on for far too long and with the effects of climate change already being felt, and possibly worse to come, immediate action is needed. We await the announcement and details of the water consumption rules.

Also to do with water we learned yesterday that Spain had decided to raise the alert level on the coast of Galicia and Asturias after a “flood” of pellets – micro plastics in the sea. According to information released by the Spanish government, the owner of the boat that on December 8th lost containers of the cargo it was transporting, 80 kilometres from Viana do Castelo, said that more than a thousand bags containing around 26.2 tons of these balls (known as nurdles) with around five millimetres in diameter, used to manufacture plastics and which are now washing up on the coast in northern Spain. The Portuguese authorities are currently closely following the case, which could become problematic.

Nurdles pose a great threat to marine life. These small round plastics usually float on the surface of the water where many species feed. They’re easily mistaken for fish eggs and other foods by a variety of species, including turtles, fish and seabirds.

Lastly with the forecast of very cold conditions over the next two days, we remind everyone of the need to following closely warnings issued by the IPMA and ANEPC which are for everyone’s safety.  After the rain today any sudden change to sub-zero temperature is likely to makes roads as well as pavements treacherous. It is important to help those who maybe be vulnerable especially those with mobility disabilities in such conditions.

Our team wish you a safe week ahead.

 News:

Doctor suspected of selling “falsified” death certificates arrested

The Judicial Police arrested a 65-year-old doctor in Faro on suspicion of selling death certificates without verifying the causes of death to two Algarve funeral homes that were, this Tuesday, the target of searches.

According to information collected by JN, the scheme allowed the quick resolution of funeral ceremonies, in exchange for financial compensation. Between 2021 and 2022, the doctor will have received around 80 euros for each death certificate and the Faro PJ investigation is still investigating the number of falsified certificates that were issued.

The documents were passed remotely, without the doctor going to the place where the dead were, namely in the areas of Faro and Loulé. Thus, the causes of death were never verified.

According to the PJ, the certificates were issued “without the practice of any act that ensures prior effective knowledge of the cause of death, upon receipt of economic compensation and with the aim of preventing the intervention of the judicial authorities or the performance of the autopsy medico-legal”.

In searches of the doctor’s office and residence, as well as the two funeral homes, the PJ seized computers and documentation that will now be analysed.

The doctor, suspected of the crime of corruption, must be taken to the first judicial interrogation this Wednesday, at the Court of Faro.