🏛️🚨 Mass evacuations ordered in Coimbra due to Mondego dike risk

Oneliner

Local authorities in Coimbra, Portugal, have ordered the evacuation of approximately 3,600 residents from Coimbra, Montemor-o-Velho, and Soure due to the risk of a breach in the Mondego River dikes. All schools in affected areas are closed, and heavy rainfall is expected to worsen the situation. The evacuations are being coordinated by local officials and the Civil Protection agency, with ongoing assessments from the Prime Minister and President.

Key points

• Approximately 3,600 residents are being evacuated from Coimbra, Montemor-o-Velho, and Soure.
• All schools in affected parishes are closed as a precautionary measure.
• Heavy rainfall is expected to exacerbate the risk of dike failure.
• Local authorities are coordinating the evacuations and monitoring the situation closely.

Links

• Rádio Renascença: Diques do Mondego em risco. Cerca de 3.600 pessoas retiradas em Coimbra, Montemor-o-Velho e Soure
• SIC Notícias: "Uma operação gigantesca": está a decorrer a retirada de mais de três mil pessoas em Coimbra por risco de colapso de diques
• CNN Portugal: Todas as pessoas em zonas de cheias devem "preparar um saco pequeno com pertences e medicamentos prontos para levar"

Facts

• 3,600 residents are being evacuated from Coimbra, Montemor-o-Velho, and Soure.
• All schools in the parishes of Santa Clara and Castelo Viegas are closed.
• Heavy rainfall is forecasted, with warnings issued for nine districts.
• The Coimbra weir is designed to handle a maximum of 2,000 cubic meters per second.

Quotes

• There is a clear risk of the dykes collapsing. In the name of caution, the essential thing is to remove people who are in the risk areas — Pimenta Machado, President of the APA.
• This Wednesday will bring more heavy rain, with nine districts under an orange warning — Local Authority Statement.

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