Portugal suspended operations across the country on Wednesday, closing all schools and non-essential public services as Storm Charles moved across the mainland. For the first time in memory, approximately 8,000 schools across the nation cancelled classes in anticipation of the severe Atlantic weather. The government also advised citizens to stay indoors, leaving the streets of cities like Lisbon largely deserted as the storm approached.
Transportation and commercial sectors faced significant disruptions, with more than 300 flights cancelled in and out of the country. Operations at four international airports were halted, and a major national supermarket chain shuttered its stores. In Lisbon, where some streets experienced flooding due to clogged drains, authorities deployed buses without passengers to monitor conditions. The Web Summit technology conference, which was hosting about 70,000 attendees, also suspended its scheduled events for the day.
The national weather agency, IPMA, recorded wind gusts exceeding 120 km/h in certain areas, though Hindustan Times reported that forecasts had warned of potential gusts reaching up to 140 km/h. By mid-afternoon, the red alert—the highest level of emergency—was confined to the southern Algarve region, after initially covering more than half of the country. Storm Charles had previously impacted the Portuguese island of Madeira on Tuesday with wind speeds of 130 km/h.
Prime Minister Luis Montenegro convened a crisis unit with eight cabinet ministers to oversee the emergency response. Interior Minister Luis Neves defended the government's extensive precautionary measures, dismissing claims that officials had overreacted and stating that the response was aligned with meteorological forecasts.
Key facts
- Over 300 flights in and out of Portugal were cancelled due to the storm.
- Approximately 8,000 schools nationwide closed for the first time in living memory.
- Wind gusts were recorded at over 120 km/h, with some forecasts predicting up to 140 km/h.
- The Web Summit conference in Lisbon suspended events attended by 70,000 people.
- The storm previously struck the island of Madeira on Tuesday with 130 km/h winds.
Why it matters
The government's decisive actions follow criticism regarding a perceived weak response to Storm Kristin earlier in January 2026, which caused widespread property damage and felled thousands of trees. By implementing large-scale closures, authorities sought to mitigate potential risks and avoid the severe impacts witnessed during previous weather events.
Background
Following the impact on Portugal, the storm was forecast to track toward Spain, where workers were involved in a general strike. Organisers in Spanish cities including Cordoba, Huelva, and Cadiz postponed or cancelled demonstrations to ensure public safety.
Source: Al Jazeera, Hindustan Times
Comments