RUI MINDERICO/LUSA
The Sado River flooded the riverside area due to bad weather, in Alcácer do Sal
Civil Protection warns that the entry of depression Marta will worsen the “extremely worrying weather situation” that Portugal is experiencing. There are thirteen districts on orange alert. Rain, wind, snow and floods are concerns.
Thirteen districts of Portugal continental will be, from 6am this Saturday, under orange warning – the second most serious – because of sea unrest, precipitation, strong wind and snow, caused by Martha depression.
According to IPMA, Leiria, Santarém, Lisbon, Setúbal, Beja, Portalegre and Évora will be under orange warning, due to “rain persistent and sometimes strong”, until 12pm.
Until 3pmthe same alert level will be in force in the districts of Lisbon, Setúbal, Beja and Farodue to “vento strong from the southwest with gusts of up to 100 km/h, with up to 120 km/h in the mountains”.
The orange warning, due to sea unresthad already been issued to the districts of Viana do Castelo, Braga and Porto, until 12pmgiven the forecast of waves that could reach 12 to 13 meters in maximum height.
On the other hand, in the districts of Guarda and Castelo Brancothe orange warning will be in effect until Sunday midnightgiven the possibility of falling neve above 1,600 meters high, with accumulation of more than 25 centimeters in areas located at more than 1,400 meters high.
Even so, a yellow warning will be issued at 6am for the districts of Coimbra, Leiria, Portalegre and Évora, due to the “strong southwest wind with gusts of up to 80 km/h, with up to 100 km/h in the mountains”.
In the case of the districts of Castelo Branco and Faro, the yellow warning, also in force from 6am, is due to “persistent and sometimes heavy rain”.
The north coast of Madeira and the island of Porto Santo are also under yellow warning, until 00:00 on Sunday, due to sea unrest, with northwesterly waves four to five meters high being expected.
“Extremely worrying weather situation”
Civil Protection reinforced, this Friday, that the weather forecast for Saturday in mainland Portugal “is extremely worrying”, with intense rain, strong winds, snow and sea disturbances, warning of worsening of floods and floods, as well as landslides.
The areas of the country “at significant risk” are Alcácer do Sal, Leiria, Lisbon, the West region and the coastal Alentejostated the national commander of Civil Protection, Mario Silvestrenoting that “the entire national territory” requires “extra care” due to bad weather, namely the passage of the Marta depression.
“We particularly warn populations living in more urban areas, including Lisbon, to pay attention to flash floods, as the volume of precipitation can be quite high in some areas”, he pointed out.
Wind and rain will affect them again
The national commander of ANEPC said that on Saturday in mainland Portugal, especially between 6am and 3pm, very heavy precipitation and intense wind are expected, which could have gusts between 100 and 110 kilometers/houras well as snowfall in the highest areas, especially in areas above 1,000 meters, and sea disturbances.
“This weather situation is extremely worryingsince much of this precipitation will occur between the Leiria region and, therefore, from west to east, along the line corresponding to sub-region of Leiria and the sub-region of Beira Baixa and then south to the Algarve”, he stated.
Given the impact of Depression Kristin, which caused damage especially in the early hours of January 28, Civil Protection warns citizens, especially those residing in areas most affected by the bad weather, “to take extra care regarding the issue of strong winds”.
“It is critical that they act safely, that they safeguard their assets […]have very, very careful”, warned Mário Silvestre, asking citizens to adopt “all preventive measures to try to avoid further damage”, including avoiding parking vehicles in risk areas, whether due to falling trees or floods.
According to Civil Protection, these meteorological conditions provide and maintain a high risk of flooding on the Vouga, Águeda, Mondego, Tagus, Sorraia and Sado rivers.
With the risk of flooding, Civil Protection warns of rivers Lima, Cávado, Ave, Douro, Tâmega, Lis and Guadiana.
