The website of the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) has recorded over 30 incidents in the Greater Porto area, particularly in Porto, Gaia, and Matosinhos, related to intense rainfall and landslides, between 5:00 AM and 7:00 AM.
Sources from the Sub-regional Command of the Porto Metropolitan Area and the Porto Fire Brigade reported numerous occurrences related to heavy rain overnight and in the early hours, though without severity and unable to be quantified.
The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) forecasts a deterioration in weather conditions today and Saturday in mainland Portugal, with rain, sometimes heavy and persistent, especially in the northern and central regions, along with wind and maritime agitation.
Due to the forecast of heavy rain, IPMA has issued a red warning for the districts of Viseu, Aveiro, and Coimbra from 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM today, moving to orange from 12:00 PM today until 12:00 AM on Saturday, and then to yellow until 12:00 PM on Saturday.
The districts of Bragança, Porto, Guarda, Vila Real, Viana do Castelo, Leiria, and Braga are also under orange warning today due to rain, switching to yellow until 3:00 PM on Saturday.
IPMA has also placed Setúbal, Santarém, Lisbon, Castelo Branco, and Portalegre under yellow warning today and Saturday.
A red warning is issued by IPMA in cases of extreme meteorological risk. The orange warning indicates a moderate to high meteorological risk, while yellow is for risks to certain activities dependent on the meteorological situation.
Due to the bad weather, ANEPC issued a warning to the population on Thursday for preventive behaviors in light of the forecast of heavy rain, wind, and the possibility of floods or inundations in the coming days.
An ANEPC source stated to Lusa that the readiness level has been raised to 3, indicating a greater response capacity from operators.
Civil Protection warned that significant variations in the flows in historically more vulnerable areas might occur.
The worsening weather conditions are associated with the prediction of flooding in urban areas, floods, and contamination of drinking water sources by debris resulting from rural fires.
Civil Protection emphasized the need to ensure the clearing of rainwater drainage systems and the proper securing of loose structures, especially scaffolding, boards, and other suspended materials.
The Public Security Police (PSP) also warned drivers on Thursday about the bad weather expected in the coming days, increasing the risk of road accidents.
[Updated at 7:21 AM]
