Risk of flooding in 13 rivers in the next few hours

Especially in the North and Center of mainland Portugal. Civil Protection warns of the risk of flooding in several river basins.

Civil Protection warned today of the flood risk in several river basins, especially in the North and Center of the country, remembering that rainfall in the coming hours will be high and could worsen the situation.

“[Há] significant flood risk for Rio Mondego, Rio Tea, Rio Sorria and Rio Sado. [E] flood risk for the Vouga, Águeda, Lima, Cávado, Ave, Douro, Tâmega, Lis and Guadiana”, highlighted the national commander of Civil Protection, Mário Silvestre.

In a press conference at the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) headquarters, in Carnaxide, Oeiras, in the Lisbon district, the person in charge reinforced the need to “particular attention” to rivers located further north from mainland Portugal.

“The precipitation forecast for these basins is quite high for tomorrow [terça-feira]and there may be, particularly in the Vouga, Águeda, Lima, Rio Minho and Cávado, situations that could cause flooding”, warned the person in charge.

Civil Protection also asked the populations of these regions to be cautious, remembering that Tuesday “it could be a day that could once again bring more complicated floods with greater risk”.

In the operational balance at 12:30, Mário Silvestre also said that there are “11 activated district plans, 124 municipal plans and alert situations have been declared in 19 municipalities”.

The commander added that “the special plan for floods in the Rio Basin tea remains activated at its highest level, the red level.”

The authorities continue to monitor hydrological and meteorological developments, keeping teams on the ground and appealing to the population to follow official recommendations.

Fifteen people have died in Portugal since January 28 following the passage of depressions Kristin, Leonardo and Marta, 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, floods and floods 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 Sunday in 68 municipalities and announced support measures of up to 2.5 billion euros.