Oeiras, Lisbon, Feb. 4, 2026 (Lusa) - Portugal's commander of Civil Protection said on Wednesday that areas around the Vouga, Águeda, Mondego, Lis, Tagus, Sorraia and Sado rivers are at high risk of flooding with the forecasts of heavy rain.
The Lima, Cávado, Ave, Douro and Tâmega rivers are under surveillance.
Mário Silvestre stated that it is in these areas and on these rivers that "flooding or a high potential for flooding is expected due to rising water levels".
The national commander of civil protection was speaking at a press conference at the headquarters of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) in Carnaxide, Oeiras, in the region of Lisbon.
At the midday briefing, he also identified two areas which, although "not yet in a truly worrying situation", are being closely monitored: Alcácer do Sal and the area of the River Lis, "in the Monte Real area", where there is "a small breach in the dyke". According to Mário Silvestre, action is being taken "together with the Municipal Services and the Irrigators' Association", who are "trying to repair" the damage.
In addition, the national civil protection commander highlighted the role of the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) in managing the country's dams and reservoirs.
"The APA is doing a fantastic job at the moment in managing the dams, and as a result, we have been able to stabilise some of them," he said.
Regarding the Tagus River Basin, he stated that "the situation, for example, between the Castelo de Bode dam and the Spanish dam, is perfectly under control," emphasising, however, that it is "a very dynamic and unstable situation."
Mário Silvestre stressed that the work of the environment agency "in the various river basins" is contributing to a "very stable" situation.
To respond to the risk, ANEPC will maintain the pre-positioning of resources on the ground. "We are maintaining, and will continue to maintain throughout this period, the pre-positioning of resources from various civil protection agencies," he said, adding that "three aerial resources are being used for reconnaissance and assessment".
The Portuguese Air Force's P-3 aircraft was also mobilised "to map the areas" and try to "understand (...) what is happening on the ground in the country".
"We also have the Air Force's cartography service helping us to map, via satellite, this entire river complex, which basically runs from north to south of the country," he said.
Mainland Portugal is being affected by adverse weather conditions due to the Leonardo depression, with heavy and persistent rain, strong winds, rough seas and snowfall in the highlands of the north and centre.
The national meteorological institute (IPMA) predicts that this unstable weather scenario will continue until Saturday.
This new storm comes a week after the passage of the Kristin depression, which caused 10 deaths and left a trail of destruction: damaged houses and businesses, fallen trees and structures, blocked roads and disrupted transport, closed schools and power, water and communications failures.
Hundreds of people were injured or displaced, with Leiria, Coimbra, Santarém and Castelo Branco among the most affected regions.
Given the severity of the damage, the Government declared a state of calamity in 68 districts until Sunday and announced a support package that could reach €2.5 billion.
JML/AYLS // AYLS
Lusa
