Seven areas of mainland Portugal are under orange warning due to heavy rain and thunderstorms

According to the Portuguese Sea and Atmospheric Institute, seven areas of mainland Portugal are under an orange warning this Sunday, the second most severe of three on a scale, due to the forecast for heavy rain, hail and thunderstorms.

An orange warning for Santarem, Setubal, Lisbon, Leiria, Castelo Branco, Coimbra and Portalegre is in effect from 09:00 to 21:00 this Sunday due to the forecast for showers, sometimes heavy, and sometimes hail, accompanied by strong gusts of wind. except for thunderstorms, frequent and scattered.

The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) has also issued a yellow warning for 11 other districts in Portugal due to heavy rain and thunderstorms forecast.

Bragança, Viseu, Evora, Porto, Guarda, Faro, Vila Real, Viana do Castelo, Beja, Aveiro and Braga will be under yellow warning from 09:00 to 21:00 in the vast majority of areas, which ends at 18: 00 in counties. Beja, Faro and Evora.

An orange warning indicates a moderate to high risk weather situation, and a yellow warning is issued whenever a risk situation occurs for certain activities depending on the weather situation.

Civil Protection appealed on Saturday to the population to take preventive measures in view of the change in weather, from the interior of the country to the coast, with a forecast of precipitation, sometimes heavy, accompanied by hail, thunderstorms and gusts of wind.

In a statement, the National Office of Emergency Management and Civil Protection (ANPC) recalls that typical episodes at transition stations with the first rains contribute to “the occurrence of urban flooding caused by the accumulation of rainwater due to drainage obstruction.” systems.”

In addition, according to the agency, it is possible “the occurrence of floods, potentiated by the overflow of the channel of certain watercourses, rivers and streams,” as well as landslides and landslides, “motivated by water seepage – a phenomenon that can be exacerbated by the removal of vegetation as a result of rural fires or artificial soil “.

Civil Protection recalled that these possible consequences can be minimized primarily through the adoption of appropriate behavior, and therefore recommends, especially in historically more vulnerable areas, that basic preventive measures be taken.

Circulation and permanent residence along coastlines and coastal areas “historically more vulnerable to coastal falls” should also be avoided.

The authorities also urged not to engage in activities related to the sea, namely sport fishing, water sports and walks on the sea, as well as to avoid parking vehicles very close to the embankment.

Civil Protection also called for the use of safe driving at reduced speeds and avoiding crossing flooded areas to prevent people or vehicles from being drawn into pavement holes or open sewers.