Severe storms in Portugal have led to the tragic death of 16 individuals and the declaration of a state of emergency in 68 localities. The chaos began two weeks ago with the arrival of the storm Kristin, which particularly affected central Portugal. Many lives were lost due to collapsed structures as repair attempts were made amid the ongoing bad weather.

The breaking of a containment dam in Coimbra caused the Mondego River to overflow, resulting in the collapse of a section of the A-1 motorway, the most crucial road connecting the cities along the Atlantic facade from Lisbon to Porto. Fortunately, the flooding did not result in casualties due to the area being primarily agricultural and having been previously evacuated, but around 3,000 residents were forced to leave their homes in the last few hours as a precautionary measure.

This incident further highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Portugal in recent weeks, as numerous calamities have unfolded, exacerbated by climatic events. The situation underscores the vulnerabilities of infrastructure in the face of extreme weather and necessitates a reflection on disaster preparedness and management in the region.