Coimbra Flood Crisis Forces A1 Closure, Evacuations, Farmers Seek Aid

The Portugal National Civil Protection Authority has confirmed that a section of the Mondego River dike gave way near Casais, unleashing water that toppled part of the A1 motorway and set off a chain of evacuations across Coimbra district.

Why This Matters

• A1 shut for “several weeks” – official detour via A17/A8 adds roughly 60 km to north–south trips.

• 9,000 additional evacuations planned – temporary shelters already filling up in Coimbra and Montemor-o-Velho.

• Agricultural losses mounting – early estimates exceed €300 M in crops, equipment and livestock.

• Insurance & state aid windows open – claims for storm damage must be filed within 30 days to secure compensation.

The Chain of Events

Persistent Atlantic storm fronts – Kristin, Leonardo and Marta – kept the Mondego’s flow near record highs through early February. On the afternoon of the 11th, water pressure pierced the ageing earthworks at kilometre 191, just downstream from the Coimbra motorway bridge. By nightfall the torrent had eaten away the viaduct piers, and a 40-metre span of the country’s busiest highway plunged into the floodplain. 3,200 soldiers were mobilised overnight to patrol remaining levees and shepherd residents out of harm’s way.

How the A1 Motorway Came Down

Engineers from Infraestruturas de Portugal blame a lethal mix of elevated groundwater, decades-old reinforcement steel and the sheer force of a 1,982 m³/s discharge hitting clay foundations already saturated by weeks of rain. Visual scans had shown no immediate danger the day before, but once the dike ruptured, the river redirected underneath the viaduct, scouring soil from under the footings. Minister Miguel Pinto Luz says a provisional Bailey bridge is under study, but a full rebuild may stretch “well past Easter.”

Damage to Farms and Riverfront Homes

The first flood surge spread over low-lying maize and rice fields before creeping into barns and greenhouses. Farmers in São Martinho de Árvore and Quimbres report total loss of winter vegetables, drowned irrigation pumps and up to 500 head of cattle relocated to higher ground. On the urban fringe, ground-floor flats along the Coimbra Baixa saw knee-deep water; many residents had pre-installed portable flood barriers after the 2023 inundations, keeping structural damage lower this time. Still, municipal engineers count 120 uninhabitable dwellings and rising.

Government Crackdown on Risky Dikes

Lisbon has extended the state of calamity to 68 municipalities, unlocking a €2.5 B recovery fund that covers immediate rehousing, emergency dredging and long-promised reinforcement of Mondego levees. The Environment Ministry will fast-track the stalled Girabolhos dam plan, arguing that an upstream reservoir could shave peak flows by 15-20 %. A new digital dashboard will map every dike rated “high-risk,” starting with the Aguieira–Coimbra reach now sitting at 99 % capacity.

What This Means for Residents

• Commuters: Expect at least four extra weeks of traffic detours; check real-time updates on the Brisa app before setting off.• Homeowners: Photograph water lines and keep all repair receipts; insurers demand evidence filed within 30 days of the event.• Farmers: The Ministry of Agriculture has opened a grant line covering up to 100 % of replanting costs for losses under €10,000; larger holdings can apply for zero-interest loans capped at €400,000.• Investors & landlords: Flood-risk maps for Coimbra district will be revised; properties newly reclassified as “red zone” could face higher IMI rates or mandatory elevation retrofits.

Outlook: Weeks of Repair, Years of Reflection

Weather models hint at another burst of heavy rain later this month. If the Aguieira spillway discharges climb further, engineers fear additional weak spots could rupture on the Mondego’s right bank. Even once the A1 reopens, attention will shift to the broader question: can Portugal’s 40-year-old flood defences withstand hotter, wetter winters? For residents of Coimbra, the answer will determine not only the cost of insurance but the very shape of daily life along the river.