Storm Kristin kills four, cuts power to 850,000 homes in Portugal

January 29, 2026 / 11:30 AM

Sharjah24-AFP: Storm Kristin left at least four people dead overnight as it swept across central and northern Portugal, authorities said on Wednesday, causing widespread disruption and damage across the country.

One person was killed in the Lisbon region after a falling tree struck a vehicle, while three others died in the central district of Leiria. The storm uprooted trees, damaged infrastructure and blocked major transport routes, including sections of the main highway linking Lisbon with northern Portugal and several railway lines.

Severe winds and widespread disruption

Civil protection authorities reported wind gusts of up to 150 kilometres per hour, accompanied by heavy rainfall that triggered more than 3,000 weather-related incidents nationwide. Power supplies were cut to over 850,000 homes as the storm passed through, and electricity crews were working to gradually restore services in affected areas.

The Portuguese government described Storm Kristin as an “extreme climatic event”, emphasising the severity of the conditions and their impact on public safety and infrastructure.

Series of storms hits Portugal

Portugal has experienced a succession of severe storms in recent days. Over the weekend, another weather system claimed a life when a vehicle was swept away by flash flooding, underscoring the heightened risks posed by persistent extreme weather across the country.