12.02.2026 19:30
The Nils Storm that hit Spain and Portugal caused 5 injuries in Spain and the cancellation of more than 100 flights. In Portugal, a part of the A1 Highway connecting the capital Lisbon and the city of Porto collapsed due to flooding. Meanwhile, Portugal's Interior Minister Maria Lucia Amaral announced her resignation on Tuesday.
The Nils Storm hit the Western European countries of Spain and Portugal. The storm, which was effective in the region along with heavy rains and strong winds last night, put both countries on alert.
A red alert was declared in the Basque Country, Galicia, and Cantabria regions in northern Spain. The storm, which was effective in the northeastern part of the country, uprooted trees in many areas. Nuria Parlon, the Minister of Interior of Catalonia, stated in a statement to the local media that one person was injured due to a fallen tree in the region, while a total of five people were reported injured.
EDUCATION SUSPENDED IN CATALONIA
Authorities in Catalonia reported that education was suspended and sports events were put on hold due to winds exceeding 105 kilometers per hour, which knocked down trees and disrupted road and rail traffic across the region, and that non-essential health services were also restricted. Catalonia's civil defense services also called on the public to stay at home and avoid unnecessary travel through a mobile emergency alert.
MORE THAN 100 FLIGHTS CANCELED IN BARCELONA
Officials from Barcelona International Airport reported that more than 100 flights were canceled due to weather conditions. It was stated that the airport continued its operations, but various restrictions were put in place that could lead to further flight delays or cancellations.
In a statement from the Barcelona Mayor's Office, the local population was warned about the risk of falling objects due to strong winds.
3,000 PEOPLE EVACUATED IN PORTUGAL
In Portugal, approximately 3,000 people were evacuated due to flooding events caused by adverse weather conditions that have been affecting the region for about two weeks, resulting in the deaths of a total of 16 people. Authorities announced that 3,000 people were evacuated near the historic city of Coimbra on Tuesday. Additionally, during the heavy rains that were effective last night, a column supporting the A1 Highway, which connects the capital Lisbon and the city of Porto, was damaged due to the collapse of a dam on the Mondego River, leading to a collapse in the section of the highway near Coimbra. Many roads and lands in the Coimbra region were largely submerged due to the flood. Portugal's Infrastructure Minister Miguel Pinto Luz stated that the repair of the damaged section of the road would take weeks, emphasizing that work could only begin after the floodwaters receded in the area.
Civil defense teams in the region reported that there was no serious danger in Coimbra and that no additional evacuation efforts were necessary.
The meteorological agency AEMET warned that waves could rise up to 9 meters in coastal areas due to the storm.
PORTUGAL'S INTERIOR MINISTER AMARAL RESIGNED
Portugal's Interior Minister Maria Lucia Amaral announced her resignation on Tuesday. Amaral, who has been targeted by criticism regarding the government's policies on the recent flooding events, stated that she did not have the necessary personal and political means to fulfill her duties, leaving her position temporarily to Portugal's Prime Minister Luis Montenegro.