Portugal’s Minister of the Interior, José Luís Carneiro, has appealed to the country’s citizens to follow the Civil Protection recommendations sent by SMS in view of forecasts of heavy rainfall and the possibility of flooding in urban areas.
«Citizens should follow the set of indications made available by the National Authority for Emergencies and Civil Protection (ANEPC),» Carneiro said at a press conference, as reported by the Lusa agency.
The appeal comes on the day when the ANEPC has again declared a state of special orange alert in the districts of Braga, Viana do Castelo, Porto, Aveiro, Coimbra, Leiria and Lisbon, all due to forecasts of heavy rainfall.
«It is very important that all the recommendations that are integrated into these ANEPC communication systems, for municipalities and society as a whole, are scrupulously complied with, because by complying with these recommendations they are also contributing to a safer country in terms of people’s lives and the protection of their property,» argued the holder of the Interior portfolio.
Among the measures recommended by the Portuguese Civil Protection, are the concern and adequacy of driving, as well as that citizens listen to updates on the meteorological assessment in case it is necessary to follow further requests from the authorities.
The orange level is the second most severe on a scale of four and represents an elevated risk with the possibility of unusual phenomena that may cause personal and material damage.
The critical period is foreseen between 9 p.m. Monday and 9 a.m. Tuesday, with the possibility of storms and strong gusts of wind with special attention to the north coast, the center and the metropolitan area of Lisbon, according to the Lusa news agency.
The hydrographic basins of the Minho, Lima, Cávado, Ave, Douro, Vouga, Mondego, Tagus and Sorraia rivers have also been alerted.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
