The National Emergency Management and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) this Wednesday warned the population for the next 24 hours of heavy rain in the northern and central coastal areas, wind and snowfall at altitudes of more than 1,400 meters above sea level.
The warning was based on forecasts from the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA), which said that “showers, sometimes heavy and persistent, in the northern and central coastal regions, especially the coasts of Minho and Douro, are moving south.” and the possibility of ice and frost formation in the northern and central interior of the country.
IPMA also assesses the possibility of snowfall at heights of more than 1,400 metres, increased winds from the southern quadrant with gusts of up to 70 km/h in the northern coastal strip of Cabo Raso and in the highlands, as well as waves from the northwest of four to four-five meters in the northern and central coast.
ANEPC warns that intense rainfall, strong winds and snowfall are commonly associated with flooding in urban areas caused by the accumulation of rainwater due to clogged drainage systems or overflowing banks, as well as flooding aggravated by the overflow of some watercourses, rivers and streams.
It also warns the public about “slope instability leading to mass movements (landslides, landslides and others) caused by water infiltration,” a phenomenon that can be exacerbated by “vegetation removal after rural fires or artificial soil.”
It also warns of slippery road surfaces due to possible formation of water layers or accumulation of ice and/or snow, as well as loose objects being dragged onto the road or loose or loose structures due to episodes of high winds, which can cause accidents with vehicles or passers-by on public roads.
ANEPC reminds that the possible impact of these consequences can be minimized, especially by adopting appropriate behaviour, therefore, especially in historically more vulnerable areas, it is recommended that basic preventive measures be taken for such situations, namely “ensuring the unblocking of the rainwater drainage system and the removal of inert materials and other objects that may become entangled or obstruct the free flow of water” and providing “adequate support for loose structures, namely scaffolding, billboards and other suspended structures.”
At the same time, hydrological information provided by the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) for the river basins indicates “a significant increase in inflows in the Minho basin with the possibility of impacts, especially in the Caminha”, while for the Lima basin it predicts “a significant increase in inflows with potential impacts on coastal towns, especially Ponte da Barca and Ponte de Lima”
For the Cavado basin, a “significant increase in inflows and the possibility of impacts downstream of Vilarinho das Furnas and in Barcelos and Esposende” is expected, and for the Ave basin “a significant increase in inflows with the possibility of impacts on Santo Tirso.”
In the Douro Basin, a significant increase in inflows is expected, including in the Tamega sub-basin, but “without critical situations”, while in the Vogue Basin, a significant increase in inflows is expected, especially in Aguede.
For the Mondego Basin, “a significant increase in inflows into Coimbra is projected, mainly due to contributions from uncontrolled inflows.”
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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