Storm Christine hits Portugal: 5 dead and power outages
Portugal has been struck by a devastating natural disaster in recent hours, as Storm Cristina swept through the central and northern regions of the country, leaving widespread destruction and significant loss of life and property. The powerful storm has claimed the lives of at least five people, while hundreds of thousands of residents were plunged into darkness due to unprecedented damage to power grids.
Storm details and human losses
According to the latest data from Portugal's Civil Protection Agency, the death toll has risen to five, with the confirmed death of a 34-year-old man due to the severe weather. The storm struck the country on Tuesday night, bringing record-breaking winds of 178 kilometers per hour and torrential rain that caused flash floods in several areas.
Electricity network collapse in Lyria
Strong winds brought down numerous power poles and high-voltage lines, leaving approximately 450,000 customers without electricity as of Thursday. E-Redis, the main operator of the electricity distribution network, reported that the Leiria region in central Portugal was the most affected. Technical teams are working in extremely difficult weather conditions to try to restore service, but the extent of the damage to the infrastructure is complicating rapid repair efforts.
Paralysis in transportation and education
The damage caused by Storm Christine was not limited to the energy sector; it also extended to the transportation sector. The state-owned railway company announced the suspension of services on several main lines, most notably the vital line connecting the economic capitals of Lisbon and Porto, isolating large areas and disrupting travel. Simultaneously, authorities closed several schools in the central part of the country to ensure the safety of students and staff.
Climate context and infrastructure challenges
This storm comes amid a period of volatile weather across Europe and the Atlantic, with an increasing frequency of extreme weather events. Storm Christine raises serious questions about the preparedness of Portugal's infrastructure to cope with climate change, particularly regarding overhead power lines and drainage systems.
In statements to the Portuguese news agency Lusa, regional official Ricardo Costa confirmed that firefighters in Leiria responded to dozens of reports of flooding and roof damage. He noted that continued rainfall, albeit less intense, was exacerbating structural damage to homes, prompting the government to acknowledge that the storm had caused “serious damage” requiring urgent intervention to restore normalcy.
