The summer season on some beaches in the municipality of Sintra is at risk due to damage caused by storms in January and February. Landslides on the cliffs, almost disappeared sands and closed areas raise doubts about the possibility of reopening to the public at the beginning of summer. According to the Meteored news portal, strong winds, heavy rain and sea waves left visible marks along several kilometers of coastline.
Around 11 kilometers of the parish of São João das Lampas are the most impacted, according to the same source. In these stretches, the force of the sea caused the disappearance of the sand and the detachment of blocks of rock, creating critical risk points.
According to the same source, several areas have already been closed to protect visitors, while detailed surveys of the coastline are carried out. The objective is to identify all vulnerable areas before moving forward with recovery works.
Magoito Beach, urgent priority
Magoito beach stands out as the most urgent intervention. The publication writes that, in addition to the loss of sand, large blocks continue to fall off the cliffs, posing an immediate danger to anyone visiting the area.
On this beach, the sidewalk and wall next to the parking lot are closed, as are the areas close to the Magoito Fort and the fossil cliff, explains the website. These blockages are preventive in nature while the site’s security is assessed.
Geological heritage at risk
Magoito has a fossil dune consolidated more than 10,000 years ago and classified as a geomonument. It should be noted that this sandstone formation reveals oblique laminations that indicate the direction of prehistoric winds.
He mentions from the same source that this dune, shaped by wind and sea, is one of the most significant geological elements in the region, making urgent intervention not only a matter of safety but also of scientific preservation.
Other vulnerable beaches
São Julião beach, between Sintra and Mafra, also suffered considerable landslides. According to the same source, the extensive beach and exposure to waves make the area particularly vulnerable, being frequently used by surfers and bodyboarders.
The publication adds that beaches such as Vigia and Aguda also need intervention, although detailed assessment is still taking place in the parishes of São João das Lampas and Colares.
Works and necessary investment
Sintra City Council and the Portuguese Environment Agency are carrying out diagnoses to move forward with recovery as quickly as possible. According to the portal, the intention is to complete the work in around three months, minimizing the impact on the summer season.
The same source adds that the project could cost between three and four million euros, a sum to be guaranteed by the Environmental Fund, guaranteeing the sustainability of the cliffs and the safety of bathers before the opening of the beaches.
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