Farmers in Spain are facing catastrophic crop damages due to storm Marta, which has caused severe flooding and prompted evacuations across the Iberian Peninsula.
Farmers in Spain have reported catastrophic damages as storm Marta has hit the Iberian Peninsula, bringing torrential rains and strong winds that submerged fields and resulted in millions of euros in damages to crops. This adverse weather follows a series of severe storms that have impacted both Spain and Portugal, including intense rain, thunderstorms, and heavy snowfall, creating a precarious agricultural landscape. With over 11,000 individuals forced to evacuate in southern Andalusia and nearly 170 roads closed across Spain, the situation is dire, and disruptions to rail services in Portugal underscore the broad impact of these severe weather conditions.
Preliminary estimates from Portugal's agriculture ministry suggest that the agricultural and forestry sectors could incur losses totaling around 750 million euros (approximately 4.63 billion Brazilian reais at current exchange rates) due to the recent storms, with conditions set to worsen in the impending days. The state meteorological agency Aemet has issued warnings, indicating further extreme weather events are likely, which raises concerns among farmers who are already grappling with the economic strain of damaged crops.
As the region braces for more extreme weather, the implications for both local economies and food security are significant. Farmers are urged to assess and report damages, and relief efforts may be necessary as officials work to manage both the immediate impacts of storm Marta and the anticipated continuation of severe weather patterns in the coming days.
