Bad weather: 'All that has been done is written down, but it is not put into practice'

Post-depression Kristin — response to the damage and minute-by-minute weather updates

Minute-by-minute evolution of the weather in Portugal

Minute-by-minute evolution of the weather in Portugal

Chega advocates for extension of state of calamity and toll exemptions

The Chega party supports extending the state of calamity until the end of the month and expanding it to other municipalities in the West region, as well as continuing toll exemptions in areas affected by bad weather. In a statement, Chega's National Directorate and Parliamentary Group challenge the government to prolong the state of calamity and toll exemptions, citing ongoing meteorological instability and significant damages that require public resources for effective response. Sixteen people have died in Portugal due to recent storms, with many more injured and displaced, and the most affected regions include Central Portugal, Lisbon, and Alentejo. The current state of calamity, initially declared on January 29 and extended twice, is set to end this Sunday, along with the toll exemptions, despite calls from various municipalities for their continuation.

State of calamity and toll exemption end this Sunday

The state of calamity declared by the government on January 29 in areas most affected by the Kristin depression, which was extended twice after new storms, will end this Sunday, February 15, along with the toll exemption. Initially declared on January 29, it was extended until February 8 and then again until this Sunday, affecting 68 Portuguese municipalities. The government decided to declare the state of calamity in the most affected areas after requests from local mayors. The toll exemption applied to sections of the A8, A17, A14, and A19 motorways, aimed at supporting mobility in the affected regions. However, local authorities have called for an extension of the toll exemption due to ongoing recovery challenges following the storms, which resulted in significant destruction and loss of life.

State of calamity published in the Official Gazette with 59 municipalities on the list

The state of calamity declared by the Government over damage caused by Storm Kristin was published today in the Official Gazette, covering the 59 municipalities where the devastation was greatest.

Municipalities in a state of calamity account for 17% of the Portuguese population

The 68 municipalities declared in a state of calamity after Storm Kristin account for 17.1% of Portugal’s resident population and 16.7% of the country’s total area — territory that is home to large companies, many of them major exporters.

14:00 — Socialist Party (PS) calls for activation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism

The PS also wants the State of Calamity extended for the coming months. The President of the Republic has said he may return to the affected areas to oversee aftermath operations following the severe weather.

PS proposes recovery programme and seeks to extend the state of calamity for up to six months

José Luís Carneiro says a package of measures to respond to the impact of Storm Kristin will be sent to the prime minister.

PS proposes recovery programme and wants state of calamity extended for up to six months

The PS secretary-general today proposed creating a national programme for recovery, stabilisation and climate resilience to respond to the impact of Storm Kristin, and asked for the state of calamity to be extended by between three and six months.

Rail services suspended between Castanheira do Ribatejo and Alverca

Rail traffic between points in the municipality of Vila Franca de Xira, Lisbon, was suspended at around 06:00 due to flooding on the track. The state of calamity has been extended until 8 February.