Rain this Monday exceeded the red warning level at three points in the mountains overlooking the city of Funchal, Madeira, said Victor Pryor, Regional Delegate of the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA).
The official explained in statements to the Luz agency that the limit of 60 liters per square meter in six hours (60 mm/6 h) was exceeded at Xiao do Areiro at 1,500 meters, where rainfall reached 117 mm, and at Pico Alto at an altitude of 1100 meters, where 110 mm was recorded.
On the other hand, the meteorological station, located in Monte at an altitude of 600 meters, already showed 100 mm, and in Funchal – 34.3 mm.
The south coast and highlands of Madeira Island are under a red alert this Monday and Tuesday due to the forecast for heavy and incessant rain due to the passage of the Oscar Basin.
A red alert, the most severe on a three-point scale, has been issued by IPMA and is in effect until 3:00 pm Tuesday, with rainfall intensity expected to intensify overnight this Monday.
Bad weather is affecting Madeira International Airport operations, with over 20 flights between arrivals and departures being canceled or redirected to other airports.
The Regional Civil Protection Service and the Municipal Civil Protection Services mobilized preventive teams and all recommended hiking trails in the mountains of Madeira were closed.