The Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 20th November 2024

by Mike Evans

A very good day to you all and the big news of the week has to be that the downpours we have been experiencing in the past couple of weeks have certainly helped the reservoirs that feed the Algarve region.

The six dams that supply the Algarve are currently at 34% of their total water storage capacity, having increased by five percentage points with the rains of recent days, according to data from the Portuguese Environment Agency ( APA ).

The Algarve dams have a total volume of around 154 cubic hectometres (hm3), corresponding to 34% of the total storage capacity, with “the rains of the last few days allowing 26 hm3 to be stored, which is equivalent to 35% of the needs of the urban and tourism sector”, said the president of APA.

Despite an improvement in the situation in the region of the country most affected by the drought, José Pimenta Machado defended the need to maintain savings measures, as it is not known what the evolution of water volumes will be in the future. “We are better off than we were before, but we have to maintain the same objective, the same plan to save water in the different sectors. That is, for the urban sector 10% and for agriculture and tourism 13%,” he said.

On the other hand, compared to the same period in 2023, there was an increase of approximately 39 hm3 of stored water, with the capacity of the dams increasing from 115 hm3 in the same period (26% of capacity) to 154 hm3 (34%). “The model presented in May, with the easing of cuts, is aligned with the available water reserves,” insisted the president of APA.

The Government decided in May to ease the restrictions previously imposed on water consumption in agriculture and the urban sector in the Algarve, including tourism, to tackle the drought in the region. Restrictions imposed on water consumption increased from 25% to 13% in agriculture and from 15% to 10% in the urban sector.

The Odeleite dam is now at 46% of its capacity (59.36 hm3), the Beliche dam at 38% (18.09 hm3) and the Funcho dam at 37% (17.70 hm3). In the windward (west) region the percentages are less important, with the Odelouca dam registering 31% of its capacity (49.16 hm3), the Arade dam 17% (4.88 hm3) and the Bravura dam 13% (4.40 hm3).

Following the rains that hit the Algarve between Thursday and Friday, Pimenta Machado wanted to leave a message of “solidarity” to the affected populations, praising the municipalities and regional Civil Protection for the work they did. So with a bit more rain we should all be ok until next summer.

Now a look at what else has happened in the past week or two.

Train Derailed Due To Bad Weather

A regional train was derailed on the 16th November  between Fuseta and Olhão, interrupting train circulation on that route. The accident was caused by the presence of rocks on the Algarve Line caused by the torrential rain. Firefighters were called to the scene but the accident did not cause any injuries and passenger transport is being carried out via road transfer on the route between Fuseta and Olhão, with the rest of the Algarve Line operating normally.

Images shared on social media show the regional train, bound for Faro, off the tracks. Train 5702 runs daily, departing Vila Real de Santo António at 6:39 a.m. and arriving in Faro at 7:46 a.m. The district of Faro is one of three under yellow warning this Saturday, due to the possibility of heavy rain.

Heavy Rain Caused Flooding In Olhao

Several streets in the city of Olhão were flooded this Friday, the 15th, due to the heavy rain that fell at the end of the morning, with greater incidence in the eastern Algarve, said a source from Civil Protection.

According to a source from the Algarve District Emergency and Civil Protection Command, the heavy rain flooded several public roads in that city, however, without causing personal damage.

“Between 00:00 and 11:30, seven incidents were recorded in the region, but none were serious, and at the end of the morning, in a short space of time, there were several localised floods in the city of Olhão,” he said.

According to the source, the affected areas are low points where a large concentration of water usually occurs when it rains heavily in a short space of time. One of the flooded areas is a tunnel located under the railway line, on one of the city’s main avenues.

“For now, we have no record of road closures or more serious situations,” concluded the Civil Protection source. Meanwhile in other places across the Algarve, In Faro , there was a record of a fallen tree and, also, in Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo, in the municipality of Tavira , there were small floods.

Prime Minister Gives Assurances to Algarve over Preparedness of Floods

Prime Minister Luís Montenegro assured on Thursday, the 14th, that a plan is being prepared by Civil Protection to “mitigate” the peaks of rainfall and the possibility of flooding that may occur in the Algarve and Alentejo.

“We are in the Algarve, in the area of ​​the country where it is most difficult to capture and retain water. Today we are experiencing flooding in the Algarve, and we will continue to do so in the coming days,” he warned on Thursday.

“We are, moreover, preparing our entire Civil Protection system to be able to mitigate the peaks of rainfall and the possibilities of flooding that are expected to occur in the coming days in the Algarve and Alentejo,” he added.

The head of government was speaking during the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Castelo de Vide Medicinal Alkaline Water Company, acquired by the Super Bock Group in 1971, giving rise to the current Vitalis collection and filling centre.

The centre and south of the country are expected to be particularly affected by strong hailstorms, accompanied by thunderstorms, over the next three days, according to a warning from Civil Protection, regarding the possibility of extreme wind phenomena.

Based on forecasts from the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere ( IPMA ), Civil Protection issued a warning to the population that “greater potential for severity” is expected in the lower Alentejo and Algarve. In light of the forecasts, the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority warned of the possibility of flooding in urban areas, floods caused by the overflow of rivers and streams and landslides.

There is also the possibility of contamination of drinking water by “inerts resulting from rural fires”. The dragging of loose objects onto the roads, or the detachment of mobile or poorly secured structures, due to strong winds can “cause accidents involving vehicles in circulation” and pedestrians on public roads, the Authority specified in a statement.

In the Algarve, the heavy rain that fell on Thursday morning for around 20 minutes flooded roads in Moncarapacho, in the municipality of Olhão, and cellars and shops in downtown Albufeira , said a source from Civil Protection.

Albufeira was the municipality in the district of Faro where the highest number of incidents were recorded, five of which were on public roads, followed by Moncarapacho, but none of them were serious.

Escaped Prisoner recaptured in Lagoa

An Algerian prisoner who had escaped on Tuesday, the 12th, from the Lisbon Court of Appeal was captured this morning in Estômbar , in the municipality of Lagoa, announced the GNR .

“It should be clarified that today, November 13, at around 9:40 am, in the town of Estômbar in Lagoa, the suspect who escaped from the Lisbon Court of Appeal yesterday was arrested”, reads a statement sent by the GNR.

That security force adds that the escapee was “spotted on the public road” by the Guard’s military personnel, after a complaint from a woman.

“When approaching the suspect, and given the dangerous nature of the intervention, he was searched and it was found that he was in possession of the handcuffs with which he had fled,” the note states.

Then, according to the statement, the suspect was arrested and transported to the Lagoa Territorial Post facilities, where his identity was confirmed, with the collaboration of the PSP.

The note states that the detainee will now be brought before the Lisbon Court of Appeal and that the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI) was informed of this occurrence.

The Public Security Police (PSP) had opened an internal investigation on Tuesday to determine the circumstances of the Algerian prisoner’s escape from the Lisbon Court of Appeal, where he was to be heard. In a statement released on Tuesday, the PSP said that, at around 10:20 am, the detainee, who was in the custody of that police force, fled “upon arrival at the Lisbon TRL, where he was going to be presented to the Judicial Authority” because there was a European arrest warrant issued by the German authorities for him, for the crime of arson.

“The police officers who were transporting the detainee were surprised” when, upon opening the door of the police vehicle, the suspect began to flee and managed to free himself from the handcuffs on one of his wrists during his journey, explains the PSP.

The detainee, according to the PSP, “was immediately pursued by the police officers who were at the scene”, but managed to escape and was last seen on Rua Vítor Cordon.

“The information was immediately broadcast to all Subunits of the Lisbon Metropolitan Command (Cometlis) via radio, via the Operational Command and Control Center, where the detainee’s escape occurred, and, to date, several resources from different PSP departments are committed to locating the escaped man,” the note reads.

According to a source from the PSP, the 36-year-old Algerian citizen was arrested on Sunday in the departures area of ​​Humberto Delgado airport, in Lisbon, under a European arrest warrant.

Man Arrested in Vilamoura with Over 600 packets of Hashish

The GNR have arrested a 22 year old man for drug trafficking in Vilamoura, seizing more than six hundred doses of hashish that the man had in his possession. The arrest was made after a road inspection operation, when the GNR “stopped the man’s vehicle and found that the driver was displaying suspicious behaviour”.

On investigation, it was found that the suspect “had a large quantity of a narcotic product in his possession, which led to his arrest”. Police seized 645 doses of hashish and a cell phone.

Five Detained in Albufeira as part of Safety Campaign

The National Republican Guard (GNR) arrested five people on Monday for driving under the influence of alcohol and drug trafficking, in traffic inspection operations and in establishments in the municipality of Albufeira according to Lusa.

The police action took place within the scope of the “Portugal Semper Seguro” campaign, with the aim of “promoting the reinforcement of the feeling of security and the reduction of general crime rates in the municipality of Albufeira”, stated the Territorial Command of the GNR of Faro in a statement .

According to the police, three commercial establishments and 45 foreign citizens were inspected, and the operation resulted in the arrest of four people for driving under the influence of alcohol, and one for drug trafficking and the seizure of 224 doses of hashish.

17 traffic offences were also filed, five for drug consumption, five for violations of labour and social security legislation and three for general police purposes, the GNR specified.

The operation involved a total of 39 officers from the criminal investigation, borders, intervention and traffic areas. The “Portugal Semper Seguro” campaign, which has been taking place across the country, aims to “increase citizens’ sense of security”, through joint actions involving security forces and State agencies.

The initiative, under the coordination of the Internal Security System (SIS), includes the GNR, PSP, Judicial Police, Authority for Working Conditions, Social Security, Tax Authority, Food and Economic Security Authority and the Agency for Integration, Migrations and Asylum.

36 Arrests Across the Algarve In GNR Weekly Operation

The GNR’s weekly operational activity to combat crime and road inspection resulted in the arrest of 36 people, including 14 for driving without a legal licence, 12 for driving under the influence of alcohol and one for drug trafficking. Between the 11th and 17th of November, 646 doses of hashish, three pressure pistols, and a shotgun were also seized.

In traffic, 574 infractions were detected, 70 of which were related to anomalies in the lighting and signalling systems; 64 due to lack of mandatory periodic inspection; 18 due to lack of civil liability insurance; 15 for improper use of a cell phone while driving; 13 for speeding and eight for lack of or incorrect use of seat belts and/or child restraint systems.

During the same period there were 123 accidents, resulting in 24 minor injuries and two serious injuries.

Until the next time Stay Safe

 

 

The Algarve Report Wednesday 6th November 2024

 

by Mike Evans

 

Good day to you all in the Algarve. As we all read about the terrible floods that have caused a massive death toll in the Spanish towns of Valencia and to a lesser extent Barcelona, for us here in the Algarve we can be grateful for the amount of rain we have received over the past week.  According to data from the latest weekly reservoir bulletin from the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), the recent rains have increased the storage levels of two dams located in the Sotavento region of the Algarve.

During the period from October 31st to November 4th (Monday), the amount of water increased by around 2% in the Odeleite dam and 1% in the Beliche dam.

Regarding the remaining reservoirs in the region, no changes were recorded in the last week.

Data this Monday shows the Algarve dams had the following storage levels: Funcho was at 35% of its capacity; Odelouca at 32%; Odeleite at 30%; Beliche at 24%; Arade at 17%; and Bravura at 13%. All of the dams are still at a critical level but hopefully further rainfall will help to increase the amount of water available.

Now a look at some of the stories from across the region in the past week.

 

BODY FOUND FLOATING NEAR OLHÃO RIVERSIDE AREA

The body of a 77 year old man was found floating by a member of the public, near the riverside area of ​​Olhão, on Saturday.

The National Maritime Authority have said that the causes of the occurrence are as yet unknown, and that the case is being investigated by the Judicial Police.

According to the National Maritime Authority, the alert was given by a member of the public on Saturday, November 2, when he spotted the body in the river. Emergency teams from the Olhão Municipal Fire Department and the INEM Emergency and Resuscitation Medical Vehicle (VMER) arrived swiftly on the scene, and began resuscitation, but were unable to reverse the situation.

Members of the local command of the Maritime Police of Olhão were also on scene, along with members of the Judicial Police, who began the investigation process.

The death was declared at the scene by the VMER doctor and, after contact with the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Judicial Police carried out the necessary investigations, the body was transported to the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences in Faro.

The Maritime Police Psychology Office has been activated and is providing support to the victim’s family.

 

BANK WARNS OF NEW SMS SCAM, TARGETING ACCESS TO ACCOUNTS

In a new fraud scheme that is spreading rapidly, Creditor Agrícola has publicly warned its customers about an SMS scam that directly targets access to their bank accounts.

This is a fraudulent message that appears to be sent by the bank itself and includes a dangerous link. By clicking on it, users risk having their bank details exposed and losing access to the balance in their accounts.

“We are warning you about fraudulent SMS messages that misuses the name Crédito Agrícola with a malicious link. Do not click or provide your CA Online/Mobile access codes,” warns the bank in a message sent to its customers. The warning is clear: if you receive a message from “Crédito Agrícola” with a link, regardless of the content, it is recommended not to click it.

These fraudulent messages, also known as phishing , take advantage of the common use of SMS to fool customers into believing that it is a legitimate communication from their bank. The aim is to trick users into entering their online banking login details on a fake page that replicates the real Crédito Agrícola website. Once the credentials are entered, the scammers can access the victim’s account, make transfers and empty the balance, causing damage that, in many cases, is difficult to reverse.

To prevent fraud of this type, the bank recommends that all customers always verify the sender of messages and avoid clicking on links included in unsolicited communications. If in doubt, the best option is to contact the bank’s support line directly, or visit a branch to clarify any message that may seem suspicious.

SMS phishing is a scam technique that is increasingly used by cybercriminals, given the trust that users place in text messaging. It is therefore essential to be aware of suspicious signs, such as unknown links, an urgency to click and content that requests access or personal data.

The recommendation is simple but effective: do not click on suspicious links and never provide confidential information without being absolutely sure that the communication is legitimate. This way, you can prevent these ingenious schemes from resulting in significant losses, protecting not only your personal data but also your financial assets.

 

MARITIME POLICE ARREST 4 DRUG TRAFFICKERS WHO RAMMED THEIR VESSEL

The Navy and the National Maritime Authority detected two boats suspected of carrying out drug trafficking activities this morning, in international waters off the south coast of Portugal.

The boats were pursued by the Portuguese authorities, when one of the suspect boats deliberately rammed the Navy vessel, causing a collision and injuring a soldier and two suspected drug traffickers, neither of whom were injured severely.

All the injured were rescued from the patrol vessel involved in the operation, by a Portuguese Air Force helicopter.

According to the Navy statement, a speedboat was seized and the four suspects arrested for being involved in drug trafficking.

Since the beginning of 2023, joint actions by the Navy and the National Maritime Authority, to combat drug trafficking, have involved the arrest of 111 people and seizure of 42 high-speed vessels, with more than 33 tons of narcotics on-board.

 

 

 

 

TWO MEN ACCUSED OF KILLING OWNER OF CAKE FACTORY IN ALBUFEIRA

Two men, aged 40 and 42, will be tried in court after being accused by the Public Prosecutor’s Office of the crime of qualified murder of a 66-year-old man in September 2019, who was the owner of a cake factory in Albufeira. One of the accused, aged 40, was arrested last April and has been in pre-trial detention since then.

According to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, which charged the two men through the Albufeira Department of Investigation and Criminal Action, at the beginning of September 2019, “during the night, the accused accessed the interior of the factory and upon seeing the victim, they beat him, in particular, on the face and neck” and, “using a grey adhesive tape, they tied his feet, his hands, covered his mouth and suffocated him”.

The victim died from external compression of the neck. The men stole €16,000 and several objects and before fleeing.

 

IBERIAN PACT – BIG STEP TO REINFORCE WATER SITUATION IN THE ALGARVE

The president of the Algarve Intermunicipal Community (AMAL) has considered that the water commitments signed last week between Portugal and Spain “are an important step to guarantee” the reinforcement of water supply in the region. “We are very pleased that, within the scope of this cross-border agreement, the 30 hectometres for water intake in Pomarão have been validated, as foreseen in the Water Efficiency Plan”, António Miguel Pina told Lusa agency.

The agreements for water management of flows in the Guadiana and Tagus between the governments of Portugal and Spain were formalised during the 35th Luso-Spanish Summit, which took place in Faro.

Asked whether the minimum monthly flow for the Guadiana River in the Pomarão section will be sufficient to reinforce and maintain part of the water resources in the Algarve, António Miguel Pina claimed to have no technical knowledge that would allow him to make an assessment. “This is an important measure that allows for a significant reinforcement of our water sources, as we had already foreseen in the Water Efficiency Plan for the Algarve within the scope of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR)”, he highlighted.

According to the president of the association of municipalities in the district of Faro, which makes up the 16 municipalities in the Algarve, “it is another project that is almost ready to come to fruition”. “We just need to launch the work, as well as the desalination plant and, with these two, we have a significant reinforcement of our water sources”, pointed out the mayor of Olhão.

For the mayor, even so, “it is necessary to assess whether these new sources associated with the reduction of losses and reuse are sufficient, in a much unknown scenario, due to climate change”.

 

The understanding between the two countries provides for a commitment to a daily flow in the Tagus and a monthly flow regime in the Guadiana River, in the Pomarão section, to guarantee the good condition of the estuary and the equitable distribution of flows available for use by both States.

The Joint Declaration of the 35th Portuguese-Spanish Summit says that the agreement “concerning the guiding principles for the establishment of a daily flow rate on the Tagus River, from the [Spanish] Cedilho dam” aims to “maintain circulating flows”.

The joint statement also confirms the agreements already announced to regularise abstractions in Alqueva by farmers from both countries, under which Spanish users will start paying Portugal for the water withdrawn, with the same conditions imposed on the Portuguese side.

 

TAVIRA CITY COUNCIL TO CUT POOL AND GARDEN WATER SUPPLY

Tavira City Council is cutting the water supply to customers with metres for garden watering and swimming pool maintenance, to reduce overall municipal urban consumption by 10% by the end of the year. Speaking to the Lusa agency, the administrator of the municipal company Tavira Verde, the entity that manages the public water supply in this Algarve municipality, said that “the cut began to be implemented this week, as part of the fight against drought in the Algarve”.

Antonio Ramos justified the cut in supply to pool and garden metres, due to the fact that customers “had not reduced consumption by 70%, as had been requested by the company”.

“We told [customers] that they could only consume 30%, but as there was no expected reduction, we moved forward with this measure to try to reach the end of the year with a total reduction of around 10%”, he highlighted.

The administrator of Tavira Verde acknowledged that “there was an effort by all residents” to save water, but “it was not enough”. The municipality, he also said, is committed to complying with the 10% reduction in relation to 2023, decreed by the Government for urban consumption, admitting that “it will be difficult to achieve this target by the end of the year”.

“We are only experiencing an overall reduction of 7%, which forces us to adopt measures, in the last two months, to reduce consumption in public and private spaces, which we estimate will be a reduction of 2%”, he highlighted.

Antonio Ramos considered that the cut in supply for garden irrigation and swimming pool maintenance “will not have a major impact due to the weather conditions, given that the season is more humid and with some rain”.

Along with cutting off the supply to the second metres, the municipal corporation is also reducing the pressure in the water pipes during the daily period between 0 am and 6 am, the official revealed.

“Between midnight and 6am we reduce the pressure to very low values ​​and during the day, we maintain a controlled normal pressure, so that water reaches the entire population,” he said.

Until the next time Stay Safe…..

 

The Algarve Report Thursday 31st October 2024

 

by Mike Evans

A very good day to you all. As with last week’s introduction, the subject of Water is still very much in the minds of the people and legislatures of the Algarve. Despite the first real signs of rainfall the news from the area is not looking better. According to a report by the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), only five of the 16 municipalities in the Algarve reduced water consumption in September, municipalities that still fell short of the 10% reduction target. According to data from the most recent Water Observatory in the Algarve, dated September 30, that month there was “a decrease in the performance of the 16 municipalities” in the region, in terms of compliance with the 10% reduction in urban consumption defined in June by the Government.

The five Algarve municipalities that reduced water consumption in September, compared to the same period in 2023, were Lagoa, Tavira, Vila Real de Santo António, Alcoutim and Castro Marim, having, however, fallen “short of the 10% reduction target”, “With regard to accumulated urban consumption between January and September [2024], there was a reduction in the region of 8.0%, which translates into savings of around 4.7 million cubic metres, compared to the reference period [January to September 2023]”,

In the Algarve region, since May 2022, water storage levels in reservoirs have been below 50%, with the lack of replenishment during wet periods generating a continuous deficit in the use of available surface and groundwater.

The current situation of water reserves in the Algarve region, particularly in 2022 and 2023, in which values ​​were recorded below the 20th percentile, determines that current water uses “cannot be adequately satisfied with existing reserves in surface and groundwater”, states the APA. “The rainfall that occurred during the months of March and April allowed an increase in the volumes stored in the reference reservoirs in the Algarve region, allowing, between January 1st and April 30th, an increase in the stored volume by a further 84 cubic hectometres (hm3)”, he adds. According to the APA, this situation “makes it possible, albeit cautiously, to reduce the level of reduction in volumes allocated for different uses and ecological flows without, however, neglecting that at the end of December 2024 the useful volume stored in the reservoirs guarantees one year of public supply”.

Twelve districts on the mainland will be under a yellow warning this Wednesday and Thursday due to the forecast of showers, which could sometimes be heavy and accompanied by thunderstorms, according to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA).

We can but hope that the expected rainfall in the next couple of weeks helps ease the situation.

Now a look at some of the other stories around the region this week.

GNR Arrest Man in Portimão for Drug Dealing

The National Republican Guard (GNR) arrested a 37-year-old man this Friday for drug trafficking, in the parish of Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo, in the municipality of Tavira. The arrest took place as part of a road inspection operation. The man was found to be carrying money and several types of drugs.

“The arrest took place as part of a road inspection operation, during which the Guard’s military personnel, upon approaching the driver, identified a quantity of a narcotic product in his possession”, explains the GNR in a statement.

During the operation, the military confirmed that they were dealing with 36 individual doses of cocaine, which resulted in their immediate arrest and a search of the vehicle, where 339.90 euros in cash, a mobile phone and a light vehicle were seized.

During the investigation, a search was carried out at the detainee’s residence, where more narcotics and other objects of criminal relevance were found, culminating in the seizure of 208 doses of cocaine, 120 doses of hashish, two doses of marijuana, five rounds of ammunition, a mobile phone, 160 euros in cash and packaging bags and cutting material for individualising the doses.

The detainee was brought before the Loulé Judicial Court, and was subject to the coercive measures of weekly periodic presentations and a ban on contact with individuals associated with drug use.

Albufeira Rally to be held this weekend

The Albufeira Municipal Rally is back on the road, on the 2nd and 3rd of November, for what will be the seventh edition. This will mean some road closures so make sure you are aware if they are close to you.

The event, which is an initiative of the Clube Automóvel do Sul with support from the Municipality, under the auspices of the Portuguese Automobile and Karting Federation, counts towards the Start Sul Rally Championship and the 2RM Start Sul Rally Championship.

The competition kicks off on Saturday the 2nd, with the night-time Super Special. Avenida dos Descobrimentos was once again the chosen stage for the tests and demonstrations of tricks, drifts and acrobatics, which begin at 9pm, between the Albufeira Fire Station intersection and the Relógios roundabout, covering a distance of over 2 kilometres.

On Sunday, the 3rd, the 35 registered drivers will compete in three stages. In the parish of Ferreiras, the Rally will take place at 10:04, 12:05 and 14:06; in Paderne at 10:27, 12:28 and 14:29 and in Guia at 10:55, 12:56 and 14:57.

In a note, Albufeira City Council highlights that, due to the event, some of the roads will be restricted during the competition hours, however traffic will flow in accordance with the instructions of the National Republican Guard.

The awards ceremony will take place on Sunday at 4:00 pm on the podium installed in the car park next to the Court.

José Carlos Rolo, Mayor of Albufeira, revealed that “the growing interest and participation of the public consolidates the event as one of the most important events in the south of the country, making it a reference in the region’s automobile scene, with an increasingly important role for the municipality”.

Public Awareness Exercise for Seismic Risk – A TERRA TREME on 5 November

The 12th edition of the Public Awareness Exercise for Seismic Risk – A TERRA TREME, organised by the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC), will take place on November 5th, at 11:05 am.

The initiative consists of a national exercise promoted annually by ANEPC, in collaboration with several public and private entities, and which aims to “enable the population to know how to act in the event of an earthquake”. “Knowing what to do before, during and after an earthquake, namely knowing the preventive measures and self-protection behaviours to adopt, is the purpose of this journey that we propose to all citizens”, says ANEPC in a statement. The exercise involves performing three simple gestures that can make a difference to those who practise them in the event of an earthquake. The exercise lasts one minute, during which participants, individually or collectively (families, schools, companies, public, private or association institutions), will have to perform the three self-protection gestures: Get Down, Protect and Wait.

“The initiative has had significant support from the school population, thanks also to the involvement of the Directorate-General for Education (DGE) and the Directorate-General for School Establishments (DGEsTE)”, he stresses. In conjunction with these partners, ANEPC, with the support of the municipality of Silves, is promoting a main event of the exercise at the Dr. Garcia Domingues Basic School, in Silves , at Praceta, Largo Gil Eanes 1, 8300-118 Silves.

At the end of this action, a LIVEX Exercise will take place, with the movement of real resources on the ground, for sectoral testing of the Special Civil Protection Emergency Plan for Seismic Risk and Tsunamis in the Algarve, in the Search, Help and Rescue Intervention area, with seven different scenarios, in the municipalities of Portimão and Silves.

In Praia da Rocha, in partnership with the Municipal Civil Protection Service of Portimão, the pilot project sirens of the population warning system, installed in that bathing area, will be activated, with subsequent “evacuation of people and animals from the identified risk areas, through the marked routes to the meeting points, carrying out the emergency procedures that follow a tsunami alert”. Over the course of successive editions, the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority has sought to “broaden reflection and debate around the issue of seismic risk and knowledge about what to do before, during and after an earthquake to all sectors of civil society”, particularly within the scope of “the inclusion of people with disabilities, in order to achieve greater resilience, both individual and collective, among the population”.

Throughout the country, the Regional Emergency and Civil Protection Commands (CREPC) and the Sub-regional Emergency and Civil Protection Commands of ANEPC will promote, in partnership with local educational communities, Fire Departments, Municipal Civil Protection Services and other civil protection agents, awareness-raising actions on the subject of seismic risk and self-protection measures to face it, as well as carrying out the exercise A TERRA TREME.

Citizens and entities can participate by registering here .https://www.aterratreme.pt/

This edition of A TERRA TREME coincides with World Tsunami Awareness Day, highlighting “the importance of an informed and resilient society in the face of natural disasters”.

MAN TRIES TO ESCAPE WITH A FIREARM AFTER HIS CAR COLLIDES WITH A POLICE CAR

The PSP arrested two men on Friday last night, for driving under the influence of alcohol, illegal possession of a firearm, qualified damage and resistance and coercion against an employee, in Olhão.

During a patrol at 03:20 am, “the driver of a vehicle, upon noticing the presence of the patrol car, fled”, says the PSP. Given the suspicious behaviour, the vehicle was “followed and subsequently stopped”, with the support of another patrol car.

When the suspect’s vehicle stopped, “the passenger, who was brandishing a rifle, immediately fled on foot and was caught a short distance away”, the police explained. When ordered to drop the weapon, the man “did not initially comply, so the police officer fired a warning shot into the air”. The suspect immediately “threw the weapon to the ground, and it was possible to handcuff him and subsequently arrest him”.

At the same time, after the passenger had exited, with his path blocked by the police vehicle, with its lights and sirens on, the driver of the suspects’ vehicle began to drive towards the police vehicle, violently colliding with it, causing damage”.

Despite the damage caused and the attempted escape, the police stressed that it was “possible to intercept the driver and arrest him”. The immediate police investigation resulted in the seizure of €2500 euros, the “origin of which they were unable to prove”, as well as a knife. After the driver was subjected to a breathalyser test, he was found to have a blood alcohol level of 1.61 g/l.

ALGARVE RAILWAY LINE CLOSED AFTER FATAL ACCIDENT IN OLHÃO

The Algarve railway line was closed earlier this morning, after a railway accident at around 07:45 am in Marim (Olhão), causing one fatality.

A source from the Algarve Regional Emergency and Civil Protection Command said that the victim was crossing the railway line on foot when he was hit by the train, in the Marim area, in Olhão.

By 8:30 am, 18 members of the fire department, INEM, GNR and Infraestruturas de Portugal were on site, supported by seven vehicles.

The line runs across the Algarve, connecting the railway stations of Vila Real de Santo António and Lagos.

That’s all for this edition. Until the next time stay safe.

 

 

 

 

The Algarve Report Wednesday 23rd October 2024

 

by Mike Evans

 

A very good afternoon to you all. As someone who spent the whole of his working life in the travel and tourism industry, and along with many others made the decision to relocate to the Algarve after experiencing the area on a holiday or two it comes as no surprise that the sustainability of the industry for the region is at the top of the agenda so that the benefits of this area can continue to provide many people with a livelihood but by maintaining the beauty of the place.

This week the, president of Turismo de Portugal, Carlos Abade, who was participating in the seminar “The Impact of Tourism on Trade and Development of Cities”, in Vila Real de Santo António cited the idea that Human resources, sustainability and technology are key aspects to be incorporated into the Tourism Strategy 2035 so that the sector can grow and create wealth for the economy,Carlos Abade participated in the seminar “The Impact of Tourism on Commerce and Development of Cities”, promoted by the Algarve Region Commerce and Services Association ( ACRAL ), in Vila Real de Santo António , and highlighted the importance that these three items will have for the future of a tourism sector that, in 2023, represented 20% of national exports and generated revenues of around 25,000 million euros. “And this is the result of work that has been done by many, mainly by companies”, according to Abade, considering that the value that has been generated “for the tourism sector, but above all for Portugal and for other sectors of activity as well” is “quite significant”.

Carlos Abade highlighted that, at this moment, the reality “is different” from that which existed in 2017, when Strategy 2027 was prepared, and tourism is currently facing “dimensions that are clearly more challenging” for its future development. “We have the issue of human resources, on the one hand the issue of attracting talent and on the other hand the issue of training, qualification and valuing tourism professionals”, he pointed out, stressing that this is “an important tool in improving people’s quality of life and promoting their well-being”.Carlos Abade stressed that the wealth generated by tourism activity “does not only benefit the tourism sector and “benefits practically all economic activities”, because it involves a set of other activities that also benefit from tourism. For all of us who live amongst this beautiful region we hope that the need to be sustainable does not get lost in the future chasing more and more people.

This brings me onto one of the issues we are all facing,the lack of water! The contract for the design, construction and operation of the future desalination plant in the Algarve, which should be built by the end of 2026, was signed this Tuesday, the 22nd, in Albufeira in the presence of the Prime Minister. The contract award, which represents an investment of around 108 million euros, is part of the Algarve Regional Water Efficiency Plan, framed by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP).

The project to build a desalination plant in the municipality of Albufeira is one of the measures in response to the drought affecting the southernmost region of mainland Portugal, as part of a package of measures launched by the previous Government. The infrastructure will have an initial capacity of 16 million cubic metres (m3), but the company is designing it to have the capacity to treat up to three times more than that volume, that is, up to 24 million m3 of water.

 

Now a look at some of the other stories from across the region.

 

Albufeira Institutions Promote Water Preservation Among Students

More than a dozen institutions in Albufeira will join forces to promote sustainability and water preservation, through a series of educational, cultural, sporting and citizenship activities , aimed at 425 1st cycle students in the Parish of Ferreiras , tomorrow, between 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm.

The event of the educational project “O Arco Íris” will feature a diverse program, where children will be the protagonists. Throughout the afternoon, artistic pieces will be created live by students of the Art Club of the Agrupamento de Escolas de Ferreiras, with surprise moments that will reinforce the community spirit.

“Several collective sports, such as volleyball, football and basketball, will reinforce the value of teamwork”, highlights the Albufeira Activa Association, in a press release.

The presence of the Albufeira Volunteer Firefighters’ marching band will provide a special moment, allowing children to have a unique interaction with the Fire Department.

“The initiative will be a celebration of education, culture, sport, citizenship and sustainability, providing children with an inspiring afternoon full of learning”, reinforces the organisation.

In this way, “’O Arco da Íris’ is a commitment to the education of our children and the future of our community. We believe that, by involving schools, associations and families, we are building a more conscious and supportive Albufeira”, says Ricardo Xufre, president of the Albufeira Activa Association.

 

Search for Missing Fisherman Called off in Aljezur

The search for the fisherman who has been missing since Saturday, the 19th, in Aljezur, was interrupted at sunset without results, the National Maritime Authority ( AMN ) reported today.

The 25-year-old man allegedly fell into the sea while recreational fishing on Saturday afternoon at Bordeira beach in Aljezur. After a day and a half of searching by sea, land and air, the work “was interrupted late this afternoon without the victim being found”, AMN reported in a statement.

The work throughout the day, coordinated by the captain of the Port of Lagos , was carried out with a device made up of crew members from the Sagres lifeguard station, by sea, while on land, elements from the port captaincy and the local command of the Lagos Maritime Police, the “SeaWatch” project and the Aljezur Volunteer Firefighters, supported by a drone, travelled along the coast, indicated AMN.

“A Portuguese Air Force aircraft was also taking part in the search,” he added. Work will resume on Monday morning, the National Maritime Authority said, highlighting that the Maritime Police’s psychology office has been providing support to the missing man’s family.

The search had been restarted this Sunday at 7:30 am, by sea, land and air, with an air force vehicle, with the perimeter having been “adjusted, given the period of time that has elapsed” since the alert was given about the fisherman falling into the sea, on Saturday, at 2:40 pm.

“Friends of the victim who are at the scene will be included in the search on land,” the port captain said at the same time. The alert was received on Saturday, through the Lisbon Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC Lisboa).

 

Algarve Algae Removal to be Completed Next Week in Portimao

The mayor of Portimão has estimated that the work to remove the “several tons of algae” that has accumulated on Praia da Rocha for two weeks could be completed by the beginning of next week. “It is a time-consuming job that started on Monday and is being done with heavy machinery. Given the large amount of algae, we expect the removal to last for a week”, Álvaro Bila told Lusa agency.

The high concentration of algae on the beaches of Rocha and Vau, in the municipality of Portimão, in the district of Faro, has been occurring for two weeks, a phenomenon that “began to have greater visibility” last week with the spring tides, said the mayor.

“Although the accumulated quantity of these organisms is very significant, there was no need to close the bathing areas, unlike what happened last month, with the closure, for two days, of Barranco das Canas beach”, he stressed.

In total, said the mayor, “120 trucks loaded with algae were removed from Alemão beach, which represents several tons of the marine organisms.”

Since 2021, large concentrations of brown and red algae have been recurrent on beaches in the western (western) Algarve. The accumulation of these invasive species has led municipal and regional entities to classify this as “an already normal situation”, according to the mayor of that municipality in the district of Faro.

“Given the recurrence of the phenomenon, since 2021 we have launched an annual procedure worth €50,000 to clean the beaches, as the municipality does not have heavy machinery for this type of service”, explained Álvaro Bila. According to the mayor, the cleaning of the beaches only began on Monday “because there was an expectation that the sea would take back the algae”.

“As this did not happen, we had to move on to cleaning with heavy machinery, carried out by a private company”, noted the mayor, stressing that, so far, no contamination of the water caused by algae has been detected.

The phenomenon is monitored by the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), which analyses the quality of bathing waters daily.

 

25-year-old Arrested by GNR in Albufeira for Robbery

The National Republican Guard (GNR) arrested a 25-year-old man this Saturday for the crime of robbery, in the municipality of Albufeira. After a complaint, the GNR managed to locate and detain the individual, having recovered the stolen items.

Following a report of robbery involving violence in a nightlife area of ​​the city of Albufeira, “the Guard’s military personnel immediately carried out investigations that allowed the individual to be located and detained”, explains the GNR in a statement.

During the police investigations, it was possible to verify that the suspect was still in possession of stolen material and narcotics, with the National Republican Guard having seized a mobile phone, 15 doses of hashish and 30 euros in cash.

The detainee was brought before the Portimão Judicial Court for the application of coercive measures.