Coimbra is at risk of severe flooding as a result of rising river levels. The alert has gone out this afternoon, and communities are all being ‘kept informed’.
Coimbra mayor Ana Abrunhosa has been on television explaining that the situation will be critical between tomorrow and Monday, and on Wednesday to Thursday – due to the amount of rain expected.
The risk comes because of the ‘fullness’ of the Aguieira dam, which is releasing controlled discharges into the Mondego river.
The Mondego however is also full – and there is the risk of a dyke being breached, which would result in flooding.
Communities at risk into Montemor-o-Velho, Soure, Coimbra and Figueira da Foz. But Ana Abrunhosa stresses that the municipality is being supported by the Air Force, by a drone, by GNR police, all controlling the river levels.
“Between the dam and the increase in the river flow, we have a lot of time,” she assured SIC’s news anchor this evening. “We just ask people to follow our advice: move animals and agricultural equipment; move furniture to first floors”. (if people have them). “We want to do this with the greatest tranquility,” she added – stressing the municipality has a system of buses ready to pick residents up if the need arises.
The situation in Coimbra is a ‘well-known’ one: the area is prone to flooding in very wet winters. But this winter, and the rainfall forecast for the coming week, have combined to create ‘a perfect storm’ in terms of risks to local populations.
Coimbra is by no means the only region ‘at risk’ of rising river levels. But it does appear to be taking no chances. “We are working to save lives”, said the mayor.
At the same time, locals are being advised to have certain essentials for survival, including a radio that works with batteries, canned food, bottled water and charged mobile phones/ battery packs.
Source: SIC Notícias/ Notícias de Coimbra
