Portugal unveiled a 22.6-billion-euro package on Tuesday to repair the damage done by this winter's deadly storms and better prepare the country for future foul weather.From late January, Portugal was battered by a string of tempests that caused widespread flooding, lashed the country with 130 km/h (80 mph) winds and led to landslides.
At least seven people died, according to the civil protection authorities, while some Portuguese media outlets have put the death toll higher, reporting up to 18 deaths.
The first portion of Tuesday's package will aim to rebuild infrastructure in the affected regions, where the storms caused an estimated 5.3 billion euros ($6.2 billion) in damage.
Another 15 billion euros will be provided to bolster protection against future natural disasters, notably through strengthening water and energy infrastructure, reforming the emergency medical system and the construction of four new dams.
The last tranche of 2.3 billion euros focuses on improving responses to the sort of serious weather seen in the winter, said Prime Minister Luis Montenegro.
While most of the plan would be paid for by the Lisbon treasury, European funds will be involved as well, Montenegro added.
On the front line of climate change in Europe, the Iberian peninsula is experiencing increasingly long heatwaves and episodes of heavy rainfall that are becoming more frequent and intense.
