The National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) today issued a warning to the population of the risk of flooding on the mainland due to the forecast of rain in the next 48 hours.
In the warning, the ANEPC states that the Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) is forecasting rain, sometimes heavy and persistent, in the north and central regions over the next 48 hours and, from Monday, also in the Alentejo.
During this period, due to the worsening of adverse weather conditions – heavy rain, intensification of wind and sea waves – Civil Protection warns that “flooding in urban areas, caused by the accumulation of rainwater due to obstruction of drainage systems or coastal overtopping”, as well as the occurrence of floods, “caused by the overflow of the bed of some watercourses, rivers and streams”.
ANEPC points to the risk of urban flooding in the Tagus River Basin and rising inflows into the Vez River, the Lima River in the north, and the Aguieira, Raiva and Fronhas system in the Mondego Basin in the central region.
From Sunday, flows are expected to rise in the towns downstream of Caniçada and Vilarinho das Furnas, in the Cávado Basin, and in the Cávado Basin, both in the north, as well as an increase in flows in Ribeiradio and in the towns downstream of the dam and in flows in Águeda, in the Vouga Basin (Center).
In view of the weather forecast, Civil Protection also warns of the instability of slopes and the risk of landslides, slippery road surfaces due to possible water tables, falling trees and communication and energy poles, damage to mounted or suspended structures and drainage difficulties in urban systems, particularly during periods of high tide, “which could cause flooding in the most historically vulnerable places”.
As preventative measures, the ANEMC recommends unblocking rainwater drainage systems and removing aggregates and other objects that could be swept away or create obstacles to the free flow of water, as well as properly securing loose or suspended structures, namely scaffolding and billboards.
Civil Protection also recommends caution near wooded areas, the coastline and riverside areas that are historically more vulnerable to flash floods, “avoiding movement and permanence in these places”, the adoption of defensive driving, not crossing flooded areas and paying attention to meteorological information and the indications of Civil Protection and Security Forces.
