Portugal, particularly its central and northern regions, is bracing for another wave of severe weather. Authorities have issued urgent warnings of further heavy rainfall on Saturday, as the country continues to recover from Storm Cristin. These developments come amid a severe energy crisis, with nearly 200,000 consumers still without power, exacerbating the hardship faced by residents in the affected areas.
The aftermath of Storm Kristen and the human and material damage
Storm Christine battered Portugal with hurricane-force winds, causing significant loss of life and widespread damage. Authorities reported five deaths from storm-related incidents, as well as extensive damage to infrastructure. While such Atlantic storms are part of the weather patterns that frequently affect the Iberian Peninsula during seasonal transitions, the intensity of this storm and its direct impact on power grids made it one of the most impactful events of the season.
The electricity crisis in Lyria and a race against time
The electricity distribution company E-redes reported that approximately 211,000 customers remained without power as of Saturday, with the vast majority of these affected in the Leiria region of central Portugal. Strong winds and fallen trees had severely damaged high-voltage power lines and pylons, complicating and lengthy repair efforts. In an effort to mitigate the situation, backup generators were deployed to ensure the continued operation of essential facilities such as hospitals, water pumping stations, and communication networks crucial for crisis management.
Weather warnings and authorities on high alert
The Portuguese Meteorological Agency (IPMA) has placed the country's mainland on high alert in anticipation of heavy rainfall expected to continue until Monday. This warning is putting additional pressure on emergency and rescue teams. Gonçalo Lopes, the mayor of Leiria, has appealed to volunteers and the local community for urgent assistance in repairing damaged roofs and securing homes before the arrival of more rain. Speaking to the SIC television channel, he emphasized the worrying situation, with weather conditions expected to worsen starting at midnight.
Regional context and climate change
Climate experts suggest that the increasing frequency of such extreme weather events in southern Europe may be linked to global climate change, which is intensifying storms originating in the Atlantic Ocean. These events pose significant challenges for local governments to upgrade infrastructure to be more resilient to wind and flooding, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas that rely on overhead power lines, which are prone to rapid deterioration.
