Madeira’s hiking trails, known as “levadas” and much sought after by tourists, will be closed on Tuesday due to the forecast of heavy rain in the region, the Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation said today.
In the press release issued by the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and the Environment, the Madeiran government recalls that these circuits will remain closed “as long as the weather warnings (yellow and orange) for rain and wind issued by the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere for Madeira prevail”.
The same document also advises against driving in mountainous areas and in the forest, mentioning that the link between Eira do Serrado and Pico do Areeiro will be closed.
For its part, the Regional Civil Protection Service has issued a set of recommendations to the population following the poor weather conditions, due to the passage of a cold frontal surface associated with depression Irene, with periods of rain or showers expected, sometimes heavy and accompanied by thunderstorms, especially on Tuesday.
During this period, the wind will be from the southwest with gusts of 90 kilometers per hour, which could reach 110 kilometers in the highlands.
On the south coast, the south-westerly or westerly waves could be around five meters, says the SRPC.
The north coast will be under a yellow warning, while the south of the island will be under an orange warning for precipitation, wind and sea turbulence until Tuesday afternoon.
Among the recommendations, the SRPC indicates that traffic should be avoided in areas affected by this type of weather situation and near dilapidated buildings, due to the risk of collapses.
Civil Protection also advises paying extra attention to erected structures (scaffolding, awnings, tents, roofs), which could be affected by stronger gusts of wind, as well as the possibility of falling trees.
Adopting a defensive driving style, reducing speed and taking special care with the possible formation of water tables, unblocking rainwater drainage systems, removing aggregates and other objects that could be swept away or create obstacles to the free flow of water are also on the list of recommendations.
