Weather: Portugal Faces a New Storm

Portuguese authorities are continuing their efforts to mitigate the consequences of Storm Leonardo while preparing for the arrival of a new depression system named “Marta.”

Alert for Heavy Rain and Strong Winds

The commander of civil protection, Mário Silvestre, has warned that the upcoming storm will bring “intense rainfall, particularly between Friday night and Saturday,” accompanied by “winds that could reach up to 100 km/h.” Over 26,500 members of rescue teams have been mobilized across the country.

Pressure on Water Infrastructure

The succession of depressions is placing exceptional pressure on Portuguese water infrastructure. In this context, José Pimenta Machado, the president of the Portuguese Environment Agency, stated that “the reservoirs have, in just three days, released an amount of water equivalent to the country’s annual consumption.”

Flooding and Disruptions in the North

In Porto, in the north of the country, where water has inundated shops, Mayor Pedro Duarte has urged residents to remain vigilant regarding the risk of flooding following the rising levels of the Douro River.

The inclement weather has also caused significant disruptions in rail transport and on the electrical grid. According to the operator “E-Redes,” around 93,000 customers were still without power by midday on Friday.

Estimated Losses in the Billions

Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, who visited the affected areas, stated that the losses “exceed four billion euros,” according to initial estimates.

Last week’s Storm Christine had already resulted in the deaths of five people and caused significant material damage. Additionally, the exceptional rainfall since Tuesday has led to the death of a man in his sixties, swept away by raging waters near a dam in the municipality of Serpa, located in the southeast region of the country.

Impact on Presidential Elections

Portugal, set to hold the second round of the presidential election next Sunday, has seen three of the most affected municipalities postpone the vote to the following Sunday, according to the National Electoral Commission. Among them is Alcácer do Sal, situated approximately 100 km south of Lisbon, which has been severely impacted by flooding from the Sado River due to the heavy rains from Storm Leonardo.

A Region Particularly Vulnerable to Climate Change

The Iberian Peninsula is one of the European areas most exposed to the effects of climate change, with prolonged heat waves and bouts of heavy rain becoming increasingly frequent and intense over the years.