In the last 24 hours, the Navy rescued another 83 people affected by the worsening weather conditions and the floods recorded in several regions of the country, associated with the passage of depressions Kristin and Leonardo.
With this new operation, the total number of people removed from isolated locations rose to 215, with a special incidence in the areas of Alcácer do Sal and Leiria, where the increase in water levels, caused by the intense rain of recent days, left populations surrounded and in need of immediate support, provided using boats previously positioned for rapid intervention in riverside areas.
During the relief actions, 15 animals were also removed in Leiria. In Benavente, the Marine Corps also relocated 10 horses and 70 cows to an area considered safe, next to Mochão do Malagueiro, as part of measures to protect farms and livestock affected by the floods. In the overall response to date, the Navy indicates that it has supported more than 2,500 people and carried out repairs in more than 60 homes and public buildings. Around 60 kilometers of roads were also cleared in the districts of Leiria, Coimbra and Santarém, as well as the collection of more than 147 tons of debris from the Lis River, in an operation to clean and remove materials washed away by the floods.
As for the device on the ground, there are 44 boats ready for immediate action in areas at risk of flooding, distributed across several watercourses, including the Lis, the Mondego, the Tagus, the Sorraia and the Sado. At the same time, the National Maritime Authority maintains a reinforcement of personnel and resources on the Guadiana, in Vila Real de Santo António, with three vessels and a jet ski, having supported 33 vessels so far. In all of the operations, around 508 military personnel and Maritime Police agents are involved, supported by 63 vehicles, 53 vessels, four generators, 17 drones and a helicopter on standby.
Photo: Portuguese Navy
