Portuguese authorities have declared a state of maximum alert and issued a "red alert," the highest level of warning, in parts of the country in anticipation of potentially catastrophic flooding. The danger is particularly concentrated in the Santarém region, where the rising waters of the Tagus River, the longest river in the Iberian Peninsula, threaten to inundate surrounding areas, due to the heavy and continuous rains brought by Storm Leonardo, which is battering the region.
Climatic and historical context of floods in Portugal
These severe weather conditions come in the context of global climate change, which has led to an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events across Europe. The Iberian Peninsula, by virtue of its geographical location, is particularly vulnerable to winter Atlantic storms. Historically, Portugal has experienced devastating floods, most notably the Lisbon floods of 1967, which claimed hundreds of lives. This explains the current state of alert among emergency services, which are striving to prevent a recurrence of such tragedies.
Exceptional measures to confront an unprecedented threat
At a press conference, Mario Silvestri, the national civil protection chief, stated that the flood risk had been raised to "red level" in the province of Santarém. Consequently, local authorities in the municipality of Santarém issued a "mandatory evacuation" order for areas along the river, a preemptive measure to protect residents' lives. Officials emphasized that the Tagus River basin had not experienced a situation of this magnitude since 1997, highlighting the seriousness of the current situation.
The storm's impact extends to other areas
The impact of the heavy rains was not limited to one area. In Alcácer do Sal, about 100 kilometers south of Lisbon, the Sado River overflowed its banks, flooding the city center and forcing about 100 residents to evacuate their homes. In a tragic incident, civil protection authorities reported the death of a man in his sixties who was swept away by floodwaters while trying to cross a flooded area near a dam in the municipality of Serpa, in the southeast of the country.
Expected regional and economic repercussions
The impact of these floods extends far beyond the immediate loss of life and property. The Santarém region is a vital agricultural heartland in Portugal, and any widespread flooding could severely damage crops and farmland, impacting the local economy and food security. Regionally, the Tagus River originates in Spain, meaning that heavy rainfall on the Spanish side exacerbates the situation in Portugal, necessitating cross-border coordination to manage the crisis.
This warning comes just a week after the devastating storm Christine, which killed five people and left 76,000 without power, placing immense strain on the country's infrastructure and emergency services. According to the national meteorological agency, Portugal is currently experiencing its second wettest January since 2000, raising concerns that the risk of flooding could persist.
