The Algarve Report Wednesday 12 October 2022
by Mike Evans
Good day to you all as we are starting to see the change of the season with a little dowsing of rain overnight. Whether this is the start of a prolonged spell remains to be seen but the situation regarding water is still critical with some municipalities starting to look at rationing.
The president of the Intermunicipal Community of the Algarve (AMAL) has warned that, if it does not rain in the coming months, “more difficult” measures will have to be taken to combat the drought. such as reducing “part or all” of agriculture’s access to available water or “restraining” public consumption through a “significant increase” in water bills.
In March, the Algarve municipalities approved a set of measures to reduce drought in the region, such as the closure of some public swimming pools in the summer, the limitation of irrigation in green spaces or their conversion to species that need less water.
According to data from the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), the Algarve dams currently have only 90 cubic hectometres (millions of cubic metres) of water in reserve, when the annual public (urban) consumption is 72, rising to 110 if the consumption of agricultural units is added.
“This means that if it doesn’t rain more than last year, there will be no water to continue serving both types of consumption”, said the mayor.
Meanwhile here is some of the other news from across the Algarve in the past week.
Foreign Woman Arrested On Suspicion of Torturing Minors
The Foreigners and Borders Service ( SEF ) revealed that it detained, on Friday, October 7, in Faro , a 42-year-old woman who was on Interpol’s red alert on suspicion of torturing minors. In a statement, the SEF does not specify the nationality of the detainee, pointing out that she is “a foreign citizen” who will be extradited.
Interpol’s red alert called for the suspect’s arrest.In agreement with the SEF, the alert was issued on September 27 and “provided a six-year prison sentence as the reason for the arrest”.
The same source specifies that the 42-year-old woman was presented to the judge of the Court of Appeal of Évora, and her detention was validated for further extradition.
2 Men Arrested For Cultivating Cannabis In Monchique
Two men, aged 53 and 40, were arrested on Monday, October 3, for the crime of cultivation and drug trafficking in the Monchique area , announced the National Republican Guard ( GNR ).
After several investigations, the Faro Territorial Command, through the Criminal Investigation Nucleus, detected a cannabis plantation and five search warrants were carried out, three of them at home and another three at home.
2521 doses of cannabis, 49 doses of hashish, six grams of cannabis seeds, two cannabis plants, a mobile phone, a precision digital scale and 960 euros in cash were seized.
In another incident, A 40-year-old man was arrested in Tunes , in the municipality of Silves , on Tuesday, October 4, for drug trafficking, on IC1, announced the National Republican Guard (GNR).
During an action to signal and prevent a road accident, the suspect started an escape in the wrong direction but was immediately intercepted by the Faro Territorial Command, through the Traffic Detachment of the Algarve capital.
After approaching the suspect, the GNR found that he had a narcotic product in his possession, and a personal security search and a search of the vehicle were carried out, where 1424 doses of hashish were seized.
The detainee was made an accused and the facts communicated to the Judicial Court of Portimão.
Two People Rescued From Cliff in Vila do Bispo
Two people had to be rescued on Monday afternoon of October 10th, after being trapped in the middle of a cliff while trying to climb, between Salema beach and Boca do Rio beach, in the municipality of Vila do Bispo , announced the National Maritime Authority.
The alert was given at around 2:30 pm to the Lisbon Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre, with elements from the local Command of the Maritime Police of Lagos, the Lifeguard Station in Sagres, the SeaWatch project having been activated for the location. , a wide-angle team of the Volunteer Firefighters of Vila do Bispo and elements of INEM.
The man and woman, around 60 years old, of German nationality, were in good physical condition and were rescued from the top of the cliff by the Volunteer Firefighters of Vila do Bispo, without the need for medical assistance and ended up leaving the place by their own means.
Olhão To Hire Seven Agents for the Municipal Police
The Municipality of Olhao is to recruise a further seven officers for their Municipal Police force.
TheMunicipal Police officers operate within the scope of their powers in the Municipality, with emphasis on monitoring compliance with municipal regulations, urban planning, traffic, road inspection, administrative offences, crime prevention and proximity policing.
The Municipal Police of Olhão was created on May 7, 2018, being the first to be created in the Algarve, and one of the first in the country.
Covid-19 Transmissibility Index Dropped to 0.98 in Portugal
While the transmissibility Index for Covid 19 dropped as an average across the whole of the country the Algarve has still a rate higher than 1. In the latest Indicators issued by the Ricardo Jorge National Institute of Health (INSA). The Algarve rate is currently 1.07 which although lower than the previous figure still means that everyone who has covid is capable of passing it onto another person. We should all still remain careful when we are out and about.
Until the next time stay safe