Flooded Mondego River
Mondego River in Coimbra, Portugal bursting its banks
Portugal's National Civil Protection Authority (ANPC) report that the Douro, Mondego and Tâmega rivers overflowed between 10 and 11 January 2016, affecting areas of Porto and Coimbra districts.

ANPC had issued warnings following a period of heavy rain and strong winds that affected the North and Central regions of the country over the last few days. The Portuguese Institute of Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) also warned of high waves in several coastal areas of the districts of Lisbon, Setúbal, Coimbra and Leiria.

ANPC say that they have recorded over 300 weather-related incidents over the last 3 days, with around 200 of them a result of flooding. There have also been reports of fallen trees and landslides. No fatalities have been reported. Two separate landslides in Baltar, Paredes municipality, in the district of Porto forced around 10 people from their homes.

Yesterday some surface flooding had blocked roads in the districts of Porto, Vila Real, Viana do Castelo, Aveiro, Leiria and Braga.


Overflowing Rivers in Porto and Coimbra

Porto district was one of the areas worst affected by the flooding, where the overflowing Douro caused flooding in the towns of Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia and Maia. Authorities say that river levels have since fallen and the situation is returning to normal. Also in Porto district, the Tâmega River overflowed causing some flooding in Amarante.

Authorities reported flooding yesterday in Coimbra as a result of high levels of the Mondego river. Carlos Luís Tavares, District Commander Relief Operations of Coimbra emergency Services said earlier today that levels are starting to fall and the situation is returning to normal. Over the last 3 days, emergency services in Coimbra recorded 88 incidents of flooding, as well as falling trees and landslides. There are still some roads blocked in Coimbra district.

Two Trains Derailed

ANPC say that the severe weather also caused the derailment of two trains, one in the municipality of Mangualde, Viseu district, injuring three people and the other in municipality of Baião, Porto district.

Rainfall

According to WMO figures, during a 24 hour period to 10 January 2016, 100 mm of rain fell in Braganca, 94 mm in Viseu and 65 mm in Porto.

The next day Viseu recorded 58 mm in 24 hours to 11 January 2016, and Braganca 53.9 mm during the same period.