Wildfires and Floods: Faster Climate Action Needed
The devastating wildfires raging across Portugal this week, and the catastrophic floods in central Europe are just two more examples of the global crisis that will be discussed during the upcoming ‘New York Climate Week’.
Thousands of Portuguese firefighters, with many reinforcements from Spain and Morocco, plus water bombers from Italy and France, have been stretched beyond their limits. Seven firefighters have been killed, more than 50 injured, and many people forced to flee from their homes because of around 100 different fires in the north of the country.
Flooding in central Europe, like the wildfires in Portugal, is an annual problem generated by exceptionally heavy rains. Storm Boris and extreme humidity have been the main culprits this year. Floods that started in Austria and the Czech Republic spread to Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and later to Germany, Hungary, and Italy. It has been the worst flooding in the region in at least 20 years. Many people have drowned. Huge numbers have been forced to evacuate their swamped homes and businesses.
All this is of profound concern to the United Nations General Assembly. UN Secretary-General and former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres says he has no doubt these events are linked to the escalating climate crisis. The next major UN conference on climate change will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 11 to 22 November. The focus is expected to be on securing the trillions of dollars required for countries to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect people from the worsening impacts of climate change.
The New York Climate Week starts next Monday. It is one of the biggest annual events of its kind. Top scientific and political climate specialists are expected to attend. It is a charity event to promote action by appealing to business leaders, political changemakers, local decision takers, and civil society officials.
This special week is run by a non-profit organisation with a mission to accelerate climate action, and achieve a world on net zero carbon emissions by 2050, ensuring great prosperity for all.
“The organisation and its members are helping to shift global markets and policies towards faster reductions in carbon emissions.”
Written by Len Port
Flu and Covid-19: Seasonal Vaccination Campaign begins today
The 2024-2025 Seasonal Vaccination Campaign begins on September 20th, offering the safest and most effective measure to prevent Flu and Covid-19, strongly recommendation for the highest risk population.
Many will soon receive a text from their local health centre, telling them that an appointment will soon be arranged for them.
Do I need to be vaccinated every year? The answer is “yes” and we explain why.
Vaccines against Influenza and Covid-19 prevent the development of a serious illness, the need for hospitalization and even death in more vulnerable groups. The Flu virus (Influenza) is constantly evolving, which translates into the emergence of new variants. This explains why the Influenza vaccine is updated annually, with a booster dose of the vaccine every year being crucial.
The same happens with the Covid-19 virus (SARS-CoV-2). As new strains continue to manifest themselves in circulation, studies have shown that the protection provided against SARS-CoV-2 diminishes over time. Therefore, the booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccine is essential to increase and prolong the individual's immunity.
With the arrival of autumn and winter, new waves of flu and Covid-19 emerge. And, therefore, the Directorate-General for Health (DGS) recommends vaccinating the most vulnerable population in the seasons when these respiratory infections are more common. With an adequate immunological response, it is possible to reduce the impact of these vacancies and, thus, reduce the demand for healthcare and the likelihood of hospitalization.
Can I get vaccinated for free at the pharmacy?
In pharmacies, the administration of both vaccines is free for all people aged between 60 and 84 years and without any record of serious adverse reactions or hypersensitivity to either vaccine. In the case of Covid-19 vaccination, the same conditions apply, with the addition of the person having received, in a previous phase, an mRNA technology vaccine (sold by Pfizer or Moderna laboratories).
Vaccination is important, so don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today. If you haven't already done so, schedule your vaccinations today at a pharmacy closest to you.
If I get vaccinated, will I not catch a cold this winter?
Vaccination protects us against serious and potentially fatal infectious diseases. In most individuals, vaccination alone is sufficient to avoid contracting the disease. Even so, contagion is possible, but with the added benefit of the symptoms being milder and, therefore, the appearance of serious complications being rare. Remember, by getting vaccinated you are protecting yourself and those around you and thus preventing preventable diseases from spreading in your community.
High tide causes flooding in Ferragado
The high tide yesterday afternoon, September 18th, caused flooding in a few areas of the Algarve, with Ferragudo being one of the locations where the situation was most severe. (video)
The village of Ferragudo was transformed into a kind of Venice, with water flooding the streets closest to the Arade River and some of those around the so-called stream in the lower part of the town.
Tourists were taken by surprise but enjoyed walking leisurely through the water. Others took the opportunity to have a drink, while soaking their feet in the establishments that continued to operate normally, in the main square of Ferragudo.
Locals are already used to high tides causing this type of scenario, so they view the situation as normal.
Tavira, Lagos and Portimão were also affected, with some streets flooded due to the rising tide.
Today, Thursday, the situation is expected to repeat itself, due to another high tide.
Over 5000 firefighters continue to fight the fires in the north
The report released by Safe Communities Portugal at around 7am this morning confimrs that around 5100 operatives, supported by 1600 land resources, are still fighting the multiple fires in mainland Portugal.
According to the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) website, 36 of the 54 fires are active, with the remainder under resolution, or in conclusion.
The following is an overview of some of the main fires.
Fire in Albergaria-a-Velha
Practically completely contained". The municipal coordinator of Civil Protection in Albergaria-a-Velha, João Oliveira, said that the fire is "practically completely contained" and that more than 40 houses have been affected by the flames.
Vila Pouca de Aguiar fire
- Mayor says "situation is calming down" in Vila Pouca de Aguiar fire. The Mayor of Vila Pouca de Aguiar stated that the "situation is calming down" in the municipality of Vila Real, but that the fight against fires will depend on weather conditions. Motorway 24 (A24) reopened at 3:00 am along its entire length in the Vila Pouca de Aguiar area, after having been closed due to the fires raging in the municipality, said a source from the GNR
Gondamar
Fighting the flames in Gondomar is complicated and the fire is on several fronts. The Mayor of Gondomar, Marco Martins, stated that it is difficult to combat the fires that are raging in that municipality in the Porto district and that there are several active fronts
Fires in Cabeceiras de Basto under control.
The fire that broke out on Monday night in Cabeceiras de Basto, in the district of Braga, was considered under control at 2:00 am, the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority told Lusa.
Arouca fire
Firefighters speak of a very serious and uncontrollable situation due to a fire in Arouca The fire that broke out on Tuesday in Castro Daire spread to Arouca at around 11pm and is creating a very serious and uncontrollable situation in the neighbouring municipality, say municipal sources. The Government of Arouca has announced that the schools of the Arouca School Group and the Escariz School Group will be closed today, as a precaution and after the activation of the Municipal Civil Protection Emergency Plan.
In Samardã, in Vila Real
It was a very difficult night with the fire reaching close to the houses. One of the residents of Samardã said that they experienced moments of distress. "The fire has a new front, burning freely, and if there are no resources it will reach the village again", he said in statements to SIC.
In Gravanço, Águeda
The night was a night of shock. The GNR knocked on all doors to get people out of their homes. The area is full of smoke and the wind threatens to push the flames towards the town. The fire raging in Águeda, district of Aveiro, became more complicated during the night, with changes in the wind and rekindling, and by early this morning the situation was once again out of control, according to the mayor. The wind is pushing the fire closer to the houses near the industrial area of Águeda. Residents are on alert and are trying to protect their homes with water.
Oliveira de Azeméis
The situation in the municipality of Oliveira de Azeméis is calmer than it was during the night and early morning, according to reporter Márcia Silva Gonçalves. The village of Chousal was evacuated on Tuesday and the population has now started to return.
Sever do Vouga
Around seven thousand hectares have already been burned in practically all the parishes of Sever do Vouga. Firefighters are currently fighting an active front that could threaten homes in the locality of Silva Escura. “If people continue to set fires – as they have been doing – there is no way to fight this”, laments the mayor, Pedro Amadeu Lobo, in statements to SIC.
Fire in Cabeceiras de Basto
The fire that broke out on Monday night in Cabeceiras de Basto, in the district of Braga, was considered under control at 2:00 am, the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) told Lusa.
Portuguese Environment Agency confirm beach algae does not affect the water quality
The Portuguese Environment Agency have reassured the public that the high concentration of algae seen on several beaches in the Algarve “is a normal and recurring situation”, and does not affect the quality of bathing water."
“This is a natural phenomenon that has become increasingly frequent due to climate change, east (southeast) winds and sea currents and the warming of sea water, but it does not pose a danger to bathers,” specified a regional source from the APA.
The accumulation of large quantities of seaweed has been more visible in recent days on some rocky beaches in the western Algarve, such as Praia de Olhos d'Água, Lagoa, Portimão and Lagos.
“They are native algae that have no impact on health, or the quality of bathing water. They are just 'unpleasant' for people who want bathe at the beach."
The phenomenon is monitored by the APA, an entity that analyses the quality of bathing waters on a daily basis, and no contamination caused by algae has been detected to date.
The mayor of Albufeira, José Carlos Rolo, said that the beaches in his municipality have frequently experienced the presence of these marine organisms, particularly during periods of wind and strong sea conditions, and “on beaches with large accumulations of algae, the local authority removes the algae, to avoid the odours that result from the drying of these marine organisms,” he said. "Often, the collection and cleaning of the sand is done one day and, sometimes, the next day, a new accumulation is found in the surf zone or even on the sand”.
“It is a natural phenomenon that the sea itself takes care of resolving, through the movement of the tides, and in areas that are difficult to access, its decomposition on the sand ends up being a natural process, with no impact on public health”, highlighted the mayor.
According to the APA, brown and red algae, typical of rocky bottoms, are more common in the western Algarve, while green algae are more abundant in the eastern Algarve.
Portimão: New €20 million retail park is rising from the ashes
Construction work is coming on, at the new retail park in Chão das Donas in Portimão, which will replace the one that burned to the ground in 2012.
Since work rebuild the shopping centre started in June, the machines and workers have not stopped, with some of the buildings already completely constructed and others still in the process of being built.
Named Nova Vila Retail Park and expected to cost around €20 million, this commercial space is owned the Belgian group Mitiska REIM and will cover 21,000 m2.
Due to be completed in the first half of next year, the retail park will have 17 stores, a supermarket, a restaurant area, parking for 832 vehicles and a petrol station. It is expected to create more than 200 jobs.
Algarve firefighters are sent to fight fires in the Central region
A contingent of 64 Algarve firefighters supported by 12 vehicles set off in the early afternoon yesterday, to assist in fighting intense fires in the North and Center of the country.
Under the Special Rural Fire Fighting Scheme, whenever necessary, resources will be activated between regions in Portugal.
Commander of the Algarve Sub-Regional Command, Richard Marques, explained that this contingent “means firefighters can work uninterruptedly, from start to finish, there are no breaks in the fight against fires. While one half of the staff is resting, the other is in operational action with rotating 12-hour shifts”.
The operatives sent from the Algarve represent a majority due to the current high risk forecasts being for the inland area, not the Algarve coast. The Government has extended the state of alert in these affected inland areas until the end of Thursday.
A multidisciplinary team has also been set up, to deal with the consequences of the fires of recent days, based in Aveiro and coordinated by the Deputy Minister for Territorial Cohesion, Manuel Castro Almeida.
Man dies at petrol station after waiting over an hour for an ambulance
A 60 year old man died on Saturday morning, after collapsing as he got out of his car at the service station on Via do Infante, in Olhão.
Family members tried to call the emergency phone line 112, manned by the PSP, at just after 11am, but were forwarded to voicemail for 45 minutes, unable to speak to a human being on the line to explain the situation.
While they waited for emergency assistance the desperate family members accompanying the man tried to help him, but with no improvement.
According to the reports on news websites, the ambulance service INEM “didn’t receive the request for assistance until 11.30 am”. The ambulance then didn't arrive on scene until 12.08 pm, more than an hour after the initial 112 calls had been made.
Once the emergency and resuscitation vehicle had reached the scene, along with an ambulance from Olhão fire station, the man was taken to Faro Hospital “on advanced life support”.
Not long after, his death was declared.
“INEM admits that there was a delay in providing assistance and has already ordered the opening of an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the assistance”.
Dredging of Lagos Marina will allow for larger vessels and floating walkways
As part of the Lagos Marina expansion project, the area will be dredged to allow the Marina to accomodate larger vessels, between 12 and 30 metres long, and seven floating walkways to be installed.
The process is expected to produce 38,000 m3 of dredged material, which will be deposited in the sea, around 6 nautical miles (approximately 11.1 kilometres) south of the mouth of that Algarve port.
The public consultation period for the license application, submitted by Marlagos, will run from the 23rd of this month to the 11th of October, for the use of an area of the national maritime space for the immersion of dredged material, according to a notice from the Directorate-General for Natural Resources, Safety and Maritime Services (DGRM).
Dredging will also be carried out to restore the bottom of the main channel of the Lagos Marina.
