Portuguese authorities today issued a red alert, the highest level of alert, in response to the escalating risks posed by record-high river levels, particularly in the Tagus River in the Santarém region. This severe warning comes as a result of the continuous torrential rains associated with the deep low-pressure system known as "Storm Leonardo," which is impacting large parts of the Iberian Peninsula, causing significant material and human damage.
Emergency measures and mandatory evacuation in Santarém
In a significant development reflecting the seriousness of the situation, the National Civil Protection Commander, Mario Silvestre, explained during an urgent press conference that the flood risk had reached a critical "red level" in the Santarém region. Consequently, local authorities issued strict orders for the "mandatory evacuation" of areas and villages along the riverbanks, giving residents no more than seven hours to leave.
Officials confirmed that the current situation in the Tagus River basin is unprecedented since the historic floods of 1997, necessitating a full mobilization of all state agencies to ensure the safety of citizens and minimize property damage. Rescue teams are working around the clock to secure roads and guide residents to safe shelters.
Widespread flooding and loss of life
The damage was not limited to Santarém; it extended to Alcácer do Sal, located about 100 kilometers south of the capital, Lisbon. The Sado River overflowed its banks, flooding the city center and forcing authorities to evacuate approximately 100 residents from their homes, which were surrounded by water.
In the context of human losses, the Civil Protection services reported a tragedy in the southeast of the country, where a man in his sixties died after being swept away by flash floods while attempting to cross a flooded area near a dam in the municipality of Serba. Authorities reiterated their warnings to citizens to avoid low-lying areas and floodplains during these severe weather conditions.
The consequences of successive storms and climate change
This new low-pressure system is exacerbating the suffering of Portugal, which is still reeling from the devastating effects of Storm Christine that struck the country just a week ago, killing five people and leaving nearly 76,000 without power. This rapid succession of storms has saturated the soil, rendering it unable to absorb further rainfall, which explains the swift and sudden rise in river levels.
Data from the National Meteorological Agency indicates that Portugal is currently experiencing its second wettest January since 2000. Experts link the recurrence of these extreme weather phenomena to climate changes affecting the European continent, where Atlantic storms have become more intense and frequent, posing new challenges to infrastructure and emergency systems in southern European countries.
