The Local Coordination Group of the Porto Nucleus of Livre issued a statement refusing to accept that, after such climatic events, “the response is limited to accounting for damages and persisting with the same strategies and procedures.” The group emphasized the importance of “mitigating impacts” through “mapping more susceptible areas and strengthening the appropriate resources for Civil Protection, as well as the rehabilitation and maintenance of ecosystems, habitats, and green infrastructure.”
The party stressed the urgency to equip municipalities with alternatives to absorb excess rainfall by implementing Nature-Based Solutions and Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (such as “rain gardens” or permeable pavements) within the revision of the Municipal Master Plan and all new urban developments.
After expressing “deep solidarity with the populations affected” by Storm Cláudia, which significantly impacted the parish of Modivas, the party accused the municipal executive of “unpreparedness.”
“We observed that the unpreparedness noted by the Vilacondense executive was not only evident in the Ribeira da Lage (Modivas), but also in the planning failure and lack of coordination between the City Council and Infraestruturas de Portugal (IP), which endangered the D. Zameiro bridge,” they added.
This week, it was reported that the municipality revealed the Rio Ave is covered by a green blanket of water hyacinths, which threatens the survival of many species and jeopardizes the historic bridge.
According to the party, these occurrences, although exacerbated by climate change, “are also political failures” and demand “better future coordination among entities to protect municipal heritage and avoid unnecessary expenses to correct inadequate procedures.”
