After a harrowing few hours in the Iberian Peninsula, the atmosphere in Spain and Portugal to calm down on Sunday, following the passage of Storm Marta, which left behind significant material damage and loss of life, as well as disruption to infrastructure and transport networks.
Rainfall intensity decreases, but warnings remain in place
The Spanish National Meteorological Agency reported in its latest bulletin that the intensity of the rainfall has begun to decrease significantly, forecasting less rain and snow compared to previous days. The warning level has been lowered to "orange" in a few provinces, indicating a receding of the immediate threat from the storm that battered the region on Saturday.
In the southern region of Andalusia, which was the hardest hit, the weather is expected to be milder. This improvement comes after days of unprecedented torrential rain that caused widespread flooding, forcing local authorities and rescue teams to evacuate more than 11,000 people from their homes in one of the largest precautionary evacuations in the region in recent times.
Human losses and tragic accidents
Although the storm has subsided, it left a tragic aftermath. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed his deep sorrow over the death of a road maintenance worker in the country's central region. The accident occurred when the snowplow the worker was operating crashed in an area blanketed with heavy snow. While authorities have not yet confirmed whether weather conditions were the direct cause of death, the incident highlights the dangers faced by emergency crews during such weather events.
In a separate incident in the village of Canin in Andalusia, heavy rains and waterlogged soil caused a wall to collapse, injuring one person who was immediately taken to the hospital for treatment, according to Spanish emergency services.
The situation in Portugal and the storm's timing with the elections
In neighboring Portugal, a Civil Protection spokesperson described last night as "very calm" compared to previous ones. However, the country is still feeling the effects of the storm, with train services still disrupted on several lines in the north and center of the country, causing widespread travel disruption.
Tens of thousands of citizens are also suffering from power outages due to damage to the grid caused by strong winds and fallen trees. These difficult conditions coincide with Portuguese voters heading to the polls to cast their ballots in the second round of the presidential election, presenting an additional logistical challenge for authorities to ensure the smooth running of the electoral process.
Climate change and its impact on the Iberian Peninsula
Storm Marta serves as a stark reminder of the climate challenges facing southern Europe. The Iberian Peninsula is considered one of the most vulnerable regions to the effects of climate change on the continent. In recent years, the region has experienced an increasingly extreme weather pattern, oscillating between prolonged heat waves and severe droughts, and sudden storms and devastating torrential rains.
Climate experts believe that the recurrence of these extreme weather phenomena, such as Storm Marta, reflects the climate disruption that threatens infrastructure and the agricultural sector in both Spain and Portugal, calling for strengthening adaptation and disaster management strategies to face an unstable climate future.
