Spain and Portugal on high alert as storms cause more damage
Madrid: Heavy rain and strong winds battered large parts of Spain and Portugal on Thursday, prompting high alert warnings, school closures, and transport disruptions across the Iberian Peninsula.
One person was reported in serious condition after being struck by a falling tree in the northeastern Spanish region of Catalonia, amid storms that have repeatedly hit the region in recent weeks.
In Portugal, part of the A1 motorway connecting the north and south collapsed on Wednesday night near the medieval city of Coimbra after a levee gave way.
Spanish authorities issued a red alert—the highest level—in the northern regions of Galicia, Cantabria, and the Basque Country following the arrival of Storm Nils, the eighth storm to hit Spain this year. Weather agency AEMET warned of waves reaching up to nine metres (30 feet).
In Catalonia, schools and sporting events were suspended, and non-essential healthcare services were restricted as wind gusts exceeding 105 km/h (65 mph) felled trees and disrupted both road and rail traffic. At least five people in the region were injured, according to Nuria Parlon, head of Catalonia’s interior department.
Civil protection services in Catalonia issued mobile alerts urging residents to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.
At Barcelona El Prat Airport, at least 40 flights have been cancelled, though the airport remains operational with restrictions that could cause further delays, according to operator Aena.
Authorities across the Iberian Peninsula are urging residents to exercise caution as storms continue to batter the region, with emergency services on heightened alert.
