According to newspaper Correio da Manhã a local resident’s association says it is keeping an eye on developments, but that the situation is “normal.”

It is understood that the sand that has been dredged onto the island’s Pequena beach will take around 20 days to dry out and look and smell normal.

Locals say the long-term benefits will far outweigh the current unpleasantness as they have been waiting for the intervention for over 20 years.