Portugal faces devastating forest fires as death toll rises

LISBON: Portugal is currently enduring a severe crisis as uncontrollable forest fires rages across the country.

This has led to an increase in death toll, now reported at seven.

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Despite mobilisation of around 5,000 firefighters and extensive resources, the flames continue to expand. This is exacerbated by dry conditions and strong winds.

The fires have ravaged almost 350 square kilometres of forested land, resulting in the destruction of several homes and significant ecological damage.

Firefighting efforts are being hampered by the persistent heat and lack of rainfall. This has forced authorities to issue urgent appeals for precipitation.

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The Portuguese government activated additional resources, including several firefighting units, to combat the flames.

Local officials have advised residents in high-risk areas to evacuate as the fires threaten to encroach further into the populated regions.

The forest fires follow recent heavy rainfall that led to severe flooding across  central and eastern Europe, including Austria, parts of Germany and Czech Republic.

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The heavy showers resulted in urban floods that wreaked havoc across the affected regions. In Austria, authorities reported signidicant disruptions, with roads and  railways inundated.

Emergency services and even military were deployed to rescue civilians. Evacuations were also ordered in several areas.

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The unpredictable and contrasting natural disasters highlights the increasing unpredictability of weather patterns across the world.