Authorities in Coimbra have been working to avoid today’s crisis for weeks. But suddenly it is looking as if the Aguieira dam can take no more water. With no let up in rainfall expected in the next few hours, the probably is of a rupture: millions of litres of water spilling into parts of the region.
Almost 3,000 people have already been evacuated (schools closed/ old people’s homes cleared with residents all taken to places of safety).
President Marcelo and the prime minister are said to be on their way to Coimbra now for a meeting with APA (the Portuguese environment agency).
This is an absolutely critical juncture.
A source for Civil Protection has said that people evacuated will not be returning to their homes until tomorrow evening at the very earliest.
If there is a ‘rupture’, that deadline will almost certainly have to be extended.
Municipalities most at risk from the danger posed by the Aguieira dam are: Cantanhede; Coimbra; Condeixa-a-Nova; Figueira da Foz; Miranda do Corvo; Montemor-o-Velho and Soure.
A dyke rupture happened in 2001 during another period of intense bad weather – but experts are warning that these last few weeks have even exceeded conditions experienced in 2001. The next 48-hours are expected to see 20% of the normal rainfall for the region in a year.
