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Portugal’s government is extending a state of emergency until the end of next week as it says it is facing a “devastating crisis” caused by a wave of storms that have killed several people in recent weeks.
“In the coming hours many will continue to face situations of extreme difficulties,” Speaking during a press conference in Lisbon, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro said.
“I would like to reiterate a very determined appeal for that in these crucial hours everyone follows the recommendations from the authorities, the risks cannot be ignored,” Montenegro stated.
“This is a devastating crisis, a crisis that will impose a long and demanding recovery process,” he added.
The Portuguese government is halting several major public projects to redeploy workers to flood protection and damage restoration, Montenegro announced.
Weeks of torrential rain have caused river banks to overflow, including the Sado and Lis rivers, resulting in destruction particularly in the municipalities of Alcácer do Sal and Leiria.
The southern Portuguese city of Alcácer do Sal, about 90 kilometres from Lisbon, was battling rising waters from the Sado river, with downtown areas flooded and water levels reaching 2 metres in some places.
Previous Storm Kristin left a trail of destruction in the central region of Leiria, killing at least six people, according to local authorities.
The National Civil Protection Authority has now also ordered the evacuation of municipalities along the Tagus river, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean near Lisbon.
Civil Protection chief Mario Silvestre said it was the worst flood threat along the Tagus in nearly three decades.
Some have called to postpone a high-stakes presidential election on Sunday, including the mayor of Alcácer do Sal, Clarisse Campos.
“The conditions are not in place. We have several isolated localities, and the town centre is completely flooded,” she said.
But the national electoral authority said in a statement that the vote would go ahead on Sunday as scheduled.
“A state of emergency, weather alerts or overall unfavourable situations are not in themselves a sufficient reason to postpone voting in a town or region,” it said.
Additional sources • AFP, AP
