The Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 13th September 2023
by Mike Evans
With the region experiencing a welcome dousing of rain in the past week it is an opportune time to raise the issue of water usage and the consumption from the area. The month of August was the fifth hottest in mainland Portugal since 1931, with two heat waves and an increase in the drought situation reaching 97% of the country. The Algarve was one of the territories that showed the decrease in the percentage of water in the soil throughout the territory. In the Algarve the percentage values of water in the soil is below 10%, and in many places “the water content in the soil is at the level of permanent wilting point”.
The Minister of the Environment has welcomed investments to be made in Vilamoura and Quinta do Lago, in the Algarve, which will help to irrigate almost half of the region’s golf courses with reused wastewater by 2026. With the Government looking at the building of a new Dam for the Algarve, on the Foupana River, the minister was clear: “For now, what is a commitment is [carrying out] a study”.
According to figures provided by Duarte Cordeiro “overall water consumption in the Algarve decreased [until August] compared to last year by around 5.0 hectometres, agricultural and urban consumption”.
“I think we are all working and we can work better. We are all aware that we still have a lot of work to do in raising people’s awareness and we can all achieve even more results with this awareness”.
As we move into Autumn and Winter we can expect more rain and hope that the efforts to preserve water is successful.
Now let’s look at what is making the headlines across the region in the past week.
Authorities Seize Another 1.6 tons of Drugs in International Waters
A joint operation by the Navy , National Maritime Authority (AMN) and the Air Force, carried out on the night of Wednesday, the 6th, resulted in the seizure of 46 bales of hashish, around 1.6 tons, six jerrycans of fuel , a high-speed vessel and the arrest of six suspects for drug trafficking, was announced by AMN.
“The Navy, the National Maritime Authority and the Portuguese Air Force carried out, this evening, a joint operation in international waters 50 nautical miles, approximately 93 km southeast of Portugal, which resulted in the seizure of a high-speed vessel, 46 bales of hashish, approximately one thousand and six hundred kilos, six jerrycans of fuel and six crew members, male, of Moroccan and Spanish nationality, aged between 21 and 48 years old, who were taken ashore and subjected to the necessary procedures to its identification and consequent formalities of legal processing” refers to AMN in a statement.
A Navy ship, two nautical assets, one operated by marines and the other by the Maritime Police, as well as an aircraft from the Portuguese Air Force, participated in the operation.The Navy, the National Maritime Authority and the Portuguese Air Force continually carry out missions to combat drug trafficking in the Algarve, having since the beginning of the year arrested 78 people and seized 32 high-speed vessels carrying around 33 tons of Narcotic products.
Mother and Daughter Injured on Pedestrian Crossing by Runaway Driver
A 38-year-old woman, of Bulgarian nationality, and her two-year-old baby daughter, were run over on Thursday, the 7th, on a pedestrian crossing in Altura, on Estrada Nacional 125, towards Castro Marim – Faro, and were left with light injuries. The stroller in which the child was travelling was thrown a few metres away. The driver fled, but was later identified by the GNR.
The alert was given at 8:26 pm, when mother and daughter were crossing the pedestrian crossing in Altura, in the municipality of Castro Marim. The two-year-old child, who was in the stroller, was initially considered seriously injured, but later became slightly injured. The two victims were transported to Faro Hospital.
There were 11 operatives at the scene, supported by four vehicles from the Vila Real de Santo António Fire Department, INEM and the GNR , who managed to reach the driver of the vehicle.
Woman Hurt After Diving from a Cliff Rescued by Bombeiros
A 53 year old French woman was rescued by Vila do Bispo bombeiros on Thursday afternoon, after she dived from the cliffs at São João Vaz beach. The woman’s plan was to dive 10m into the sea, then climb back up the rocks after diving.
However, the victim injured her back when diving, making climbing out impossible. She was eventually rescued from the water using ropes and was lifted up the cliff.
ALGARVE: PSP RADAR LOCATIONS IN SEPTEMBER
The Public Security Police (PSP) have released the list of speed control radars in place during the month of September, in the Algarve.
As part of the monthly “Who warns you…” campaign for safer driving, the list below may be subject to occasional changes.
11/Sep – 09:00/12:00 – Rua da Cruz Vermelha Portuguesa – Tavira
12/Sep – 09:00/12:00 – Avenida V2 – Portimão
20/Sep – 09:00/12:00 – Avenida V6 – Portimão
22/Sep – 09:00/12:00 – Rua Almirante Cândido dos Reis – Tavira
26/Sep – 09:00/12:00 – Avenida V6 – Portimão
26/Sep – 09:00/12:00 – Av. Dr. Gordinho Moreira – Faro
And Finally, if you want to try some new foods from Portugal and around the world but don’t want to spend out on a full dinner then you should try Another edition of Rota do Petisco is back, which runs from September 15th to October 15th, organised by Teia D’ Impulsos, the organisation announced.
Snackers will have 31 days to travel through 11 municipalities (Aljezur , Vila do Bispo, Lagos, Portimão, Monchique, Lagoa, Silves, Albufeira, Loulé, São Brás de Alportel and Tavira) and 176 participating establishments.
The passport (€1.50) guarantees access to all snacks at an attractive price (Menu Petisco €4.00 and Menu Doce €2.50), including vegetarian options. This continues to be supportive, and the pre-selected projects will form part of a social entrepreneurship ‘bootcamp’, carried out by Teia D’Impulsos. The jury will choose as winners those with the greatest social impact.
The Rota do Mundo, restaurants with typical cuisine from other countries, and the Rota dos Chefs, signature dishes with regional products, are also returning.
Rota do Petisco is a cultural and recreational project originating in Portimão (2011) that consists of a gastronomic itinerary, involving several restaurant establishments organised by different geographical areas.
Teia D’ Impulsos is a non-profit association whose main objective is the development of social, cultural, sporting, training and environmental projects based on equal rights and opportunities among all citizens. For details of the establishments partaking go to this website https://www.rotadopetisco.com/
Until the next time…