Social Democrat (PSD) MPs have submitted a draft resolution in Parliament to protect the southern coast from coastal erosion, which has been aggravated by the rough seas brought on in recent weeks by successive storms.
“It is necessary to take stock of coastal risk situations related to the use of beaches with regard to potential rock-falls, silting of barriers, and destruction of the Ria Formosa sand dunes and barrier islands, of which Faro beach is a prime example”, the MPs argued.
Nineteen landslides were registered along the Western Algarve coastline between 28 February and 6 March 2018, and while the MPs conceded coastal erosion is a natural process, they say the rate at which it has recently occurred is of concern.
Meanwhile, a provisional tally of the damage caused by the recent stormy weather is estimated at over €7 million in the municipality of Faro alone.
“Between the coast, businesses, housing, farms and urban public spaces, the damages amount to more than 7 million euros - this is the greatest damage caused by weather phenomena in the recent history of the county”, Faro Mayor Rogério Bacalhau said in a statement.
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa visited Faro last weekend to inspect and raise awareness about the damage, which the local council thanked, in its statement.
Meanwhile, the Faro gypsy community that was left homeless after a tornado tore through their camp has returned to the site.
The 100-people-strong
commune was temporarily
put up in the local Penha pavilion, but has now returned to the camp to rebuild their dwellings, with the help of the local
council.