Portugal hit by storm Kristin: 16 dead, thousands evacuated and wind gusts over 200km/h

©picture alliance / Anadolu | Stringer

Storm Kristin, which has been ravaging central Portugal since early February, is particularly severe: at least 16 dead, thousands evacuated and entire communities still without power and water. Wind gusts of over 200km/h and torrential rain caused rivers to burst their banks and crucial infrastructure to collapse.

The districts of Coimbra and Leiria were hit the hardest. Here, residential areas were flooded, bridges were swept away and reservoirs were about to exceed their maximum capacity. In Coimbra, more than three thousand people have been evacuated in recent hours, while highways and rail lines remain closed or impassable for the time being.

The political crisis and the resignation of the minister

The emergency also had immediate political implications. Interior Minister Maria Lucia Amaral resigned after fierce criticism of the government's handling of the crisis. The accusations came both from the opposition and from residents in the hardest-hit areas, who complained of delays and poor coordination.

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa accepted the resignation and entrusted the portfolio to Prime Minister Luis Montenegro for the time being. Meanwhile, the decree on extraordinary emergency aid remains blocked, while Lisbon has also asked Brussels for support to deal with a crisis that threatens to have long-term economic consequences.

Damage of billions and a new threat looming

Initial estimates speak of more than four billion euros in damages, an amount that is expected to increase. In addition to private homes, strategic factories and vital infrastructure for the country's North-South connections have also been affected. In some areas, water levels from the Tagus and Mondego rivers have exceeded the height of bridges and dikes, leaving the situation extremely precarious.

As if that were not enough, Portugal is now being hit by a new depression: low-pressure area Oriana is bringing new extreme precipitation, with amounts of rain that, in a few hours, correspond to a significant portion of the annual averages. Code yellow has been declared for rain and wind in already devastated areas and code orange along the coast due to high waves and rough seas. Heavy snowfall and blizzards are expected in mountainous areas.

After nearly two weeks of continuous emergency, the country is still balancing between relief efforts and reconstruction. The next few hours will be crucial to prevent new casualties and contain a disaster that has already left Portugal exhausted, with entire communities in the dark and a future that must be entirely rebuilt.

(©GreenMe 2026/Managing Editor: Selma Keshkire - The Press Junction/Picture: ©picture alliance / Anadolu | Stringer)