In the face of mounting calls for ‘government solidarity’ by communities struggling with the effects of Storm Kristin, the government “decided today in the Council of Ministers to declare a state of calamity in the areas worst affected”.
A statement issued during the Council of Ministers said that PM has also made the decision to ‘cancel his external agenda – namely trips to Andorra and Croatia – and visit areas in the districts of Leiria and Coimbra. In fact, he is already reported to be ‘in Leiria’ and being given a tour of parts of the city by mayor Gonçalo Lopes.
The statement came after Lusa reported early this morning that the PM would be opening a consulate in Andorra this afternoon. In the face of stories coming out of various parts of the country, it appeared to be a text very much out of context. So at least that has been corrected – and communities crying out for assistance appear to be receiving answers.
CNN Portugal has also reported that President Marcelo agrees with the decree for a state of calamity, and will be visiting areas battered by Kristin later today.
It is now confirmed that Storm Kristin caused the deaths of six people – the majority of them in the Leiria district, where the depression entered the mainland in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Other districts with considerable damages are Coimbra and Santarém.
Source: LUSA
