Las Galletas is among the most endangered locations in Tenerife due to global warming. Its residents frequently observe the repercussions of rising tides and the periodic damage inflicted on the promenade, leading to collapses in sections of the pavement, as well as affecting the General Highway TF-66 that runs along the coast and connects this aronero town with the friar and Guaza.
Las Galletas is classified as a high-risk area, alongside another 46 across the Canary Islands, as detailed in the Environmental Action Plans (PIMA). This document, issued by the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, warns of the hazards facing the Islands in the coming decades, aiming to initiate preventive measures that mitigate the impact of climate change in the most vulnerable areas.
This scenario of exposure to flooding and coastal erosion due to rising sea levels will make Las Galletas the first town in the Canary Islands to join a climate action initiative, setting a precedent in the archipelago. This document, awaiting approval from the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Energy, also engages the Cabildo de Tenerife and the City of Arona in implementing strategies to protect and adapt the coastal region.
In this regard, the Cabildo Governing Council is set to approve the initial protocol today to advance the climate action project, which includes the “relocation of Avenida del Atlántico to enhance the resilience of the urban area,” according to Alicia Leirachá, insular director of strategic projects.
The project will hence entail significant alterations to part of the seafront, with an expanded beach area that will be broader and elevated beyond the existing roadway. The road layout will be adjusted inward to distance it from tidal actions and frequent damage. Additionally, a new pedestrian path will be constructed.
There have been numerous instances where the sea has intruded inland along the seafront of Las Galletas, a coastal town often battered by adverse sea conditions. In September 2023, powerful waves led to the partial subsidence of the Paseo Marítimo, necessitating the cordoning off of the area and closure of beach access. A similar incident occurred in August 2021, and on other occasions, the TF-66 route has been closed to traffic due to wave heights.
