Portugal has cancelled more than 300 flights and shut schools across the country after the arrival of Atlantic storm Charles, authorities said on Thursday.
Airlines operating in the region reported that the severe weather forced the grounding of dozens of domestic and international services, with some flights diverted or rescheduled for later dates. The cancellations were part of a wider effort to keep passengers and crews safe amid high winds and heavy rain.
In addition to the aviation disruptions, the Ministry of Education announced that all public schools in the affected areas would remain closed for the day, a precautionary measure taken to protect students and staff from the storm’s potentially hazardous conditions.
Officials said they had implemented a comprehensive preparedness plan after criticism of the country’s response to January’s Storm Kristin. Measures included early warnings, coordinated emergency services and the deployment of additional resources to vulnerable regions.
Storm Charles is one of several Atlantic storms that have been forecast to affect Portugal this winter, prompting authorities to remain vigilant and ready to respond to any further impacts.
<small>Source: Al Jazeera — read the original story there.</small>