Portugal is facing one of the worst natural disasters in its modern history, as violent storms that recently battered the Iberian Peninsula have caused significant loss of life and property. Portuguese authorities have revealed the extent of the devastation wrought by Storm Leonardo, which not only flooded cities but also dealt a severe blow to the local economy.
A tragic human toll and painful details
In the latest official update, the death toll from these devastating storms has risen to 11 since last week. The Portuguese news agency Lusa reported the tragic discovery of the body of a 70-year-old man, found dead inside his car, which had been submerged by raging river waters in the municipality of Serpa. This incident underscores the power of the flash floods that caught residents by surprise, trapping them in their vehicles and homes, and forcing thousands to flee to safer areas. Many crossed the border into Spain to escape the raging torrents.
A heavy economic bill: 4 billion euros
On the economic front, Portugal's Economy Minister, Manuel Castro Almeida, painted a grim picture of the financial situation following the disaster. He estimated the direct damage caused by the severe storm, which peaked last Wednesday, at over €4 billion. This enormous figure includes the costs of infrastructure destruction, crop damage, business disruptions, and losses of private and public property. Experts indicate that this sum will place a heavy burden on the state budget, potentially necessitating a request for emergency aid from the European Union's solidarity funds.
The climatic and geographical context of the disaster
These storms are occurring within a context of extreme weather events affecting the world, and the Iberian Peninsula in particular. Historically, Portugal and Spain have been Europe's first line of defense against low-pressure systems originating from the Atlantic Ocean, but the frequency and intensity of these storms have increased significantly in recent years. Climate scientists link this rise in the severity of weather phenomena to global climate change, which has made storms more intense and winds more destructive, posing existential challenges to the aging infrastructure of European cities.
Regional influence extending to Spain
Neighboring Spain was not spared the effects of Storm Leonardo, with its southern and border regions experiencing heavy rain and strong winds that partially paralyzed daily life. This geographical proximity underscores the importance of joint cooperation in managing natural disasters, as the current crisis has highlighted the interconnectedness of risks and the need for unified early warning systems to protect lives and property across the Iberian Peninsula.
