Surface water discharges are expected to begin very soon at the Bravura dam, in the western Algarve, possibly from the early hours of Wednesday, February 4, due to high reservoir levels and forecasts of further rainfall.
In a statement shared by the municipal council of Portimão on its Facebook page, the Alvor Irrigation and Beneficiaries Association (ARBA) says the Bravura reservoir is currently operating at over 97% of its total capacity and, combined with the forecast rain over the coming days, this will likely require surface discharges to be activated.
The association warns that the discharges “could cause constraints in the municipality of Portimão, particularly in riverside areas of Alvor.”
According to ARBA, this type of discharge does not allow for full control of water flow and may occur during high tide periods, increasing the risk of flooding downstream, especially along the Arão stream.
Residents and visitors are being advised to adopt precautionary safety measures, including avoiding riverside areas downstream of the dam during and after the discharges, particularly flood-prone zones, low-lying bridges and steep riverbanks that may collapse due to stronger currents.
The association also recommends that agricultural equipment, vehicles and animals be removed from riverbanks and floodplain areas and stresses the importance of complying with any road closures imposed by the authorities.
ARBA also urges the public to follow official information issued by the municipality and the association, adding that it is closely monitoring the situation.
