12
Portuguese environmental officials have warned of a clear risk of dikes along the Mondego River collapsing, potentially causing widespread flooding as heavy rainfall is forecast.
“There is a clear risk that the dikes could collapse,” said Pimenta Machado, president of the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), during a press conference Wednesday, February 11, 2026. “As a precaution, it is essential to remove people from risk areas.”
The warning came after an emergency meeting in Coimbra with local and regional authorities and civil protection officials. Machado indicated that “a brutality” of precipitation is expected Wednesday, with two days of rainfall potentially equaling 20% of the annual average.
