Heavy rain battered parts of the Iberian peninsula on Tuesday, flooding streets, sweeping away cars and forcing authorities in Portugal to close some roads and mobilise the armed forces to support clean up efforts.
The Lisbon mayor’s office put the city on a “red” warning and urged people to stay home and avoid commuting to the capital in the estuary of the Tagus River.
Since midnight, the Civil Protection Authority has reported nearly 1,500 incidents across Portugal, mainly in Lisbon and the districts of Santarem, Portalegre and Evora, including flooded streets, tunnels, train stations and shops.
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A spokesperson for the armed forces said civil authorities had asked for help to pump out water in flooded areas.
Schools in Oeiras, part of the Lisbon district, shut and students were sent home.
The emergency plan for the Tagus River has been activated, meaning there is a risk it could overflow.
Weather agency IPMA said rainfall was likely to remain “strong and persistent” throughout the rest of the day.
