Portugal Extends State of Emergency Amid Severe Flooding and Fatalities

Portugal's government has extended a state of emergency until the end of next week due to a relentless wave of storms, which have resulted in multiple fatalities and widespread flooding across the country. Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, speaking in Lisbon, acknowledged the ongoing difficulties facing the nation and urged the public to adhere strictly to official recommendations.

"The crisis would necessitate a prolonged recovery," Prime Minister Luis Montenegro stated, highlighting the long-term challenges ahead.

In a direct response to the unfolding crisis, the Portuguese government has halted several major public projects. This critical measure aims to redeploy essential workers to assist with immediate flood protection and vital damage restoration efforts.

Widespread Impact Across Regions

Weeks of heavy rainfall have caused various rivers, including the Sado and Lis, to overflow their banks significantly. The municipalities of Alcácer do Sal and Leiria have been among the most severely affected areas. In Alcácer do Sal, located approximately 90 kilometers from Lisbon, downtown areas experienced devastating flooding, with water levels tragically reaching up to 2 meters in certain locations. Prior to this, Storm Kristin was responsible for at least six fatalities in the central region of Leiria.

Critical Threat Along the Tagus River

The National Civil Protection Authority has escalated its response, issuing evacuation orders for municipalities situated along the Tagus river, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean near Lisbon.

Mario Silvestre, the Civil Protection chief, indicated this is "the most severe flood threat along the Tagus in nearly three decades," underscoring the unprecedented scale of the current situation.

Presidential Election to Proceed

Amidst the ongoing crisis, calls have emerged to postpone the upcoming presidential election scheduled for Sunday. Clarisse Campos, the mayor of Alcácer do Sal, cited isolated localities and a completely flooded town center as compelling reasons for a delay.

However, the national electoral authority has firmly confirmed the election will proceed as planned. They stated that a state of emergency, weather alerts, or unfavorable conditions are not considered sufficient grounds to delay voting in any region.