The Cape Verdean government reported that all national roads on the island of São Vicente, affected by the storm that caused nine deaths, are now passable, although some restrictions remain, Lusa reported on Wednesday, August 20.
According to the Ministry of Infrastructure, Spatial Planning and Housing, “work has been carried out to clear debris, unblock septic tanks, repair pumping stations, and assess hillside homes, in order to restore access and ensure the safety of the population.”
Access to São Vicente airport and the localities of São Pedro, Baía das Gatas, and Salamansa, one of the most affected areas, has already been restored. In several neighborhoods, streets have also reopened.
At the same time, social support measures for affected families are underway, including emergency income and pensions, temporary relocation, rental subsidies, home rehabilitation, and the allocation of social housing to vulnerable households.
The spokesperson for the National Civil Protection and Fire Service (SNPCB), Vitória Veríssimo, stated on Wednesday that the electricity and water company Electra increased production in São Vicente to 7,800 cubic meters per day and continues to restore the remaining pumping stations. The floods from a week ago left neighborhoods submerged, destroyed roads, bridges, and commercial establishments, disrupted electricity supply, and caused nine deaths.
The Minister of Internal Administration, Paulo Rocha, highlighted that there are now two missing persons, following a woman with mental health issues who has not been seen since the storm.
The government declared a six-month state of calamity in São Vicente, Porto Novo (Santo Antão), and the two municipalities of São Nicolau, and approved a strategic response plan providing emergency support to families and economic activities, including subsidized credit lines and non-repayable funds.
These measures will be financed by the National Emergency Fund and the Sovereign Emergency Fund, created in 2019 to respond to natural disasters and external shocks.
On Friday, August 15, a Portuguese Navy ship docked in São Vicente with 56 military personnel, equipment for debris removal, a desalination unit for the hospital, drones for aerial imagery, and diver teams to support the population.
Source: Diário Económico
