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Uma tempestade recente causou muitos problemas no norte de Portugal. Houve ventos fortes, chuvas pesadas e 567 incidentes , como árvores caídas. Transportes, como trens e estradas, tiveram grandes problemas. Muitas pessoas ficaram sem eletricidade. Apesar disso, houve apenas um ferido leve. A recuperação está em andamento e é preciso estar atento a novas tempestades.

Translation

A recent storm has caused significant disruption in northern Portugal. There were strong winds, heavy rain, and 567 incidents, such as fallen trees. Transport systems, including trains and roads, experienced severe issues. Many people were left without electricity. Despite this, there was only one minor injury. Recovery efforts are underway, and it is important to remain vigilant for future storms.

Exercise: Text comprehension

Question 1: What caused problems in northern Portugal during the recent storm?

Strong winds, heavy rain, and 567 incidents like fallen trees.

Question 2: What happened to the transportation due to the storm?

Trains and roads had major problems.

Exercise: Vocabulary

(f.) - storm

(m.) - wind

(m.) - incident

- injured

(f.) - recovery

(m.) - progress

Read the full story

▌10/10/2024

Storm Kirk swept through northern Portugal recently, causing widespread disruption and damage across the region. The severe weather conditions were marked by strong winds and heavy rainfall, particularly affecting the Northern and Central areas of the country.

The National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) reported a total of 567 incidents overnight, primarily resulting from falling trees and structures. These occurrences were concentrated mainly in the Metropolitan Area of Porto, Alto Minho, and the Cávado Sub-Region.

Rail transport faced significant challenges, with various train lines, including the Douro, Vouga, Minho, and the Braga branch, experiencing disruptions. These were attributed to debris and fallen trees obstructing the tracks, according to Comboios de Portugal (CP), the national railway company.

Storm Kirk Leaves Destruction Across Northern Portugal Storm Kirk Leaves Destruction Across Northern Portugal (Illustration)

In addition to the transport issues, the storm caused road closures. Significant roadways, such as the Avenida AEP connecting Matosinhos and Porto, were temporarily closed due to fallen trees. In Vila Pouca de Aguiar, a truck was overturned by the wind on a bridge, further illustrating the storm's intensity.

The storm's strong winds also led to power outages, impacting over 300,000 people. This left many without electricity, primarily in Aveiro and Vila Real, where trees and power lines were downed. The severe weather conditions also compelled the closure of schools and health centres in affected regions.

Besides the wind-related damage, heavy rains led to flooding, particularly in rivers such as the Cávado, Vez, and Lima. In one instance, the rain in the Minho region reached 40 litres per square metre within just six hours, prompting emergency services to maintain a constant presence on the ground.

Despite the extensive damage caused, only one minor injury was reported. Authorities continue to monitor the aftermath of the storm, as recovery and repair efforts are underway. The anticipation of another weather disturbance, depression ‘Leslie’, underscores the need for ongoing vigilance in the coming days.

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