Civil Protection admits as “quite high” the probability that the number of displaced people will increase due to the high river flows, especially in Lezíria do Tejo and Sado.
Bad weather in Portugal forced the displacement of 1,163 people, all of whom have already been relocated, and admits a very high probability of more evacuations due to the high river flows, especially in Lezíria do Tejo and Sado.
“Maintaining the flows we have at the moment, the probability of having more people displaced and preventive evacuations is quite high”, said the national commander of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC), at the organization’s headquarters, in Carnaxide, Oeiras.
Situation “under permanent evaluation”
According to the official, it is not currently possible to make any predictions about the alleviation of the flood scenario and the return of displaced people to their homes, as a situation “under permanent assessment”, but he stressed that all displaced people were relocated either to municipal population support services or to Social Security.
“The Tagus river area, mainly the entire Lezíria do Tejo area, will be an area of potential need for evacuations, as well as the Sado river area, where due to the rain that fell this morning, which seems to be easing a little as it moves north, there could also be that probability. But deep down this is unknown”, said Mário Silvestre.
Tracking and monitoring
The national commander highlighted that the work to be done at this time is monitoring and follow-up, including by the affected people themselves and in risk areas, calling on them to carry out a permanent assessment of the danger they are in and to contact municipal civil protection services and local fire departments to request help whenever they consider it necessary.
Mário Silvestre pointed out that floods remain “a pressing problem”, mainly because the dams continue to have very high levels and because the tributaries are unable to enter the main rivers, due to the high flows, resulting in an impact of floods even in areas where the watercourses are smaller.
63 thousand customers still without electricity
The latest E-Redes balance regarding electricity replacement work points to 63 thousand customers still without electricity, of which 57 thousand are customers directly affected by the Kristin depression, more than a week ago, and of these 41 thousand are from the Leiria area, 11 thousand from Santarém, four thousand from Castelo Branco and approximately one thousand from the Coimbra area, detailed Mário Silvestre.
Mainland Portugal began to feel the effects of the Marta depression this morning, which brings rain, snow, wind and sea agitation and a new rise in the flow of rivers and streams south of the Tagus River.
The Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) warned on Friday afternoon of the high risk of flooding in the rivers Vouga, Águeda, Mondego, Tejo, Sorraia and Sado, during today, as well as in the rivers Lima, Cávado, Ave, Douro, Tâmega, Lis and Guadiana, although in these, with a more moderate level of risk.
Thirteen people have died in Portugal since last week following the passage of the Kristin and Leonardo depressions, which also caused many hundreds of injuries and displacement.
The total or partial destruction of homes, businesses and equipment, the fall of trees and structures, the closure of roads, schools and transport services, and the cut of energy, water and communications are the main material consequences of the storm.
The Centro, Lisbon and Vale do Tejo and Alentejo regions are the most affected.
The Government extended the calamity situation until February 15th for 68 municipalitieswhich will benefit from support measures of up to 2.5 billion euros.
