The road was temporarily closed on Thursday, but was reopened after an initial assessment indicated no signs of danger, explained Décio Pereira, the president of the Câmara Municipal da Calheta. However, worsening weather conditions have increased the volume of rocks in the area, leading to the precautionary closure of the access path to Fajã dos Cubres, and consequently to Fajã do Belo and Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo.
Pereira stated that around 80 people are in the three affected Fajãs, who are informed of the situation and remain calm.
“The municipality and Civil Protection services have already contacted these individuals. Many of them are tourists and have all necessary information. Our main concern is their physical safety,” he emphasized, noting that “the people are not isolated.”
There is a pedestrian trail connecting to Serra do Topo, offering “an alternative exit by land,” Pereira mentioned.
Additionally, support by sea will be available this afternoon via “local maritime-tourist boats, a boat from the Associação dos Bombeiros Voluntários da Calheta, and a small boat from the environmental services of São Jorge Island.”
“For those wishing to leave, there is the Serra do Topo trail. We will also provide maritime transport this afternoon if needed, coordinated with the Calheta Association of Firefighters,” he said.
Furthermore, a small team from the Association of Firefighters is present to offer medical assistance in the Fajãs if necessary.
Pereira assured that “measures are in place” to evacuate people “if required.”
The landslide area was evaluated this morning and is “stable,” but another aerial assessment is scheduled for this afternoon, according to the president of the Câmara Municipal da Calheta.
