The recent episodes of sea agitation associated with storms Bruna and Charles, which occurred on November 10 and 11, 2026, have once again exposed the fragility of coastal areas to erosion. The Municipal Research Centre (CI.CMAC) of Figueira da Foz, through the CONCHA and FozWaSe projects, carried out detailed monitoring of coastal and estuarine conditions.
Comparative analysis of images collected by monitoring cameras at Praia da Cova-Gala revealed significant morphological changes, including the development of erosive scarps and sediment remobilization at the base of the dune cordon. It was observed that part of the erosion was already visible before the passage of storm Charles, indicating the importance of cumulative effects from sea agitation.
In parallel, data from the monitoring station of the FozWaSe project, in the Mondego estuary, recorded maximum water levels close to 3.93 meters during the early mornings of November 10 and 11. This information reinforces the understanding of coastal erosion as a phenomenon resulting from the interaction between wave energy, tide levels, and pre-existing morphological conditions.
The integration of data from the CONCHA and FozWaSe projects underscores the value of continuous and multidisciplinary monitoring for a deep understanding of coastal and estuarine dynamics. This approach contributes to evidence-based territorial management. The CONCHA project is funded by the Fundo Ambiental da República Portuguesa.
