RONDA: Spain and Portugal on Saturday braced for another storm heading for the Iberian peninsula, just days after the floods caused by Storm Leonardo proved fatal in both countries. The latest depression, christened Storm Marta, has prompted the deployment of more than 26,500 rescuers in Portugal, where the foul weather has led three municipalities to postpone Sunday's presidential vote till next week.
Both countries have issued warnings over the potential fresh floods, after inundations blocked hundreds of roads, disrupted trains and forced thousands to evacuate from the rising waters. In Spain, much of the country's south, particularly Andalusia, was placed on orange alert on Saturday, as was the north-west facing heavy rain and violent storms, said national meteorological agency Aemet.
Portugal was already reeling from the effects of Storm Kristin, which led to the deaths of five people, injured hundreds and left tens of thousands without power, when Leonardo hit earlier this week. Portugal's National Meteorological Institute (IPMA) has placed the entire coastline on orange alert due to heavy sea conditions, with waves reaching up to 13 metres high. — AFP
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