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29 March - 4 April 2018
Water ban fears ease THE Junta de Andalucia regional government has eased watering restrictions following heavy rainfall. Irrigators will now be allowed to water crops more freely, but still 25 per cent less than normal rates. The Junta told farmers they can use 11 cubic hectometres of water before September 30 after the La Viñuela reservoir almost doubled its water levels during March, gaining 30 cubic hectometres. A further meeting will take place in mid-May to discuss allowing irrigators further water once it is clear how much water has been stored over the rainy season. In February, farmers were told they would have to reduce their watering by 60 per cent, a move which was welcomed by irrigators. The Junta de Andalucia explained subtropical fruit farmers would be offered just 10 hectometres of water for irrigating throughout the year compared to the 23 hectometres normally used. Alexander Clavero, a spokesman for Plataforma de Aguas de la Axarquia, praised the policy which saw Viñuela’s water levels maintained at their current level rather than decreasing as before. Clavero told one publication the 60 per cent reduction was more effective than the day-long watering bans in place last year as “the next day people consumed more.”
A XARQUÍA - C OSTA T ROPICAL
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Weather chaos Wind and snow wreak havoc By Sally Underwood Extreme weather conditions have wreaked havoc on some of Axarquia’s roads. Strong gusts of wind felled trees in some areas, while others experienced snowfall and heavy rain. Weather conditions are expected to improve over the coming w e e k , h o w e v e r, w i t h temperatures reaching a maximum of 20 degrees over the Easter weekend. D u r i n g t h i s w e e k ’s d r a m a t i c w e a t h e r, o n e large pine fell across the A7207 Torrox-Competa road, forcing motorists to edge along the mountain’s edge to pass by. Branches and debris also littered the roads until workers were able to cone off and later remove the tree. Some residents also reported falling roof tiles, landslides, metal rods buckling under the force
Credit: Sally Underwood
ISSUE NO. 1708
Newspaper in Spain 2018
A PINE TREE: Blocked the A7207. of the wind and even walls collapsing. In Canillas de Albaida, Alfarnate and Alfarnatejo, others reported snowfall, with some settling on the countryside. Jorge Martin, the may-
or of Canillas de Albaida, explained the snow had not caused any problems in the town and did not pose a risk to motorists as it had not settled on the main road. The snow fell for just
over one hour while the outside temperature measured nine degrees. Overnight temperatures in several mountain towns, including Competa and Archez, fell to around minus one.
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Arsonist arrested A MAN has been detained for allegedly setting light to the car of a politician’s mother. The accused, known only as BAR, is also being investigated for attempting to burn an EMMSA cleaning vehicle. Ezequiel Carnero, the politician whose mother’s car was destroyed in the blaze, congratulated the police on arresting the suspect. He explained, “The problem was related to an EMMSA issue,” adding, “I was in the middle of a conflict with this company after denouncing irregular practices by workers who did not meet their schedules.” The incidents took place last November when Carnero’s mother’s car was burnt out around 1am, following claims he had been threatened. The politician said, “I feel harassed and persecuted, and the worst of all is my mother and sister are afraid even to open the windows of the house.” Carnero said the fire started outside the house which he shares with his mother and sister, explaining, “We had not moved it all day and the fire started on a wheel, it’s very suspicious,” he said. The Local Police and firefighters attended the scene, extinguishing the flames. The car could not be saved, however, and was almost completely destroyed except for its rear wheels and trunk.