Lisbon implements tsunami warning system with two sirens on the riverside – Economy
“The phenomenon of climate change today imposes on us an increased urgency in preparing Lisbon for major occurrences or catastrophes, such as tsunamis”, said the councilor for Civil Protection of the Lisbon Chamber, Ângelo Pereira (PSD), in the presentation of the Warning System and Tsunami Alert in the Tagus Estuary, which took place at the Museum of Popular Art, where an evacuation exercise was carried out, with the activation of a sound signal.
The project includes the installation of a population warning system, with two sirens and two digital information panels in Praça do Império and Ribeira das Naus, and vertical emergency evacuation signs (evacuation routes and meeting points), that join the realization of actions of awareness and public information about the risk of tsunami in the city.
“Lisbon is already preparing for this risk”, assured councilor Ângelo Pereira, noting that, in addition to the phenomenon of climate change, the history and geography of the city have determined the “real possibility of the occurrence of earthquakes, with tsunamis associated with them, a risk that is further exponentiated by the large riverfront”.
As it is considered that “you can’t be too careful”, the Lisbon City Council, through the Municipal Civil Protection Service, today tested the tsunami warning siren device, integrated into the Tsunami Warning and Alert System in the Tagus Estuary, which intends to make the city “more resilient and more prepared” in relation to the occurrence of these natural disasters.
“Furthermore, we are going to start several public clarification actions, with a clarification campaign in schools and with the dissemination of contents to raise awareness and inform citizens”, indicated the Civil Protection councilor, reinforcing that the prevention of tsunamis is one of the great Concept concerns regarding people’s safety.
The riverside area of Lisbon is exposed to the effects of a tsunami, in particular the area between Belém and Santa Apolónia, where the hazard index of flooding caused by a tsunami is “extreme” in an earthquake with a magnitude of 8.75 degrees in the Richter scale, according to data presented by the Municipal Civil Protection Service.
Some of the natural signs that indicate the possibility of a tsunami and that the immediate evacuation of the place should have occurred are the occurrence of a strong earthquake, the consecutive and abnormal variation of the river level and a strange noise coming from the river.
In terms of prior preparation, the Municipal Civil Protection Service advises citizens to be informed about areas exposed to tsunami danger, to draw up a family emergency plan and to know the one for their place of work or school, and to agree on a way to alternate contact and meeting place.
Other actions are the preparation of an emergency ‘kit’, with “water and non-perishable food, a flashlight, radio, warm clothing, first-aid kit, personal hygiene items, whistle, multipurpose knife and copy of personal documents”, and knowledge of evacuation route signs and meeting points.
“If you hear the tsunami warning, receive a private message from the authorities or detect some of the natural signs mentioned: immediately walk away to a high place and away from the riverside area; if you see evacuation signs, follow the path indicated until you reach the meeting point; stay away from the river until the authorities inform you that there is no longer any danger; if you are unable to move to a place far from the river, go up to a high floor of a building that has no damage”, indicates the information made available.
The Municipal Civil Protection Service of Lisbon recommends that, after the occurrence of the tsunami, citizens stay away from stagnant water and damaged buildings, help injured or trapped people, without putting themselves in danger, alert the rescue teams, collaborate and follow the recommendations of the authorities.