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Heavy rains that have fallen in Portugal since yesterday have caused floods, landslides and downed trees, especially in central regions hit by summer forest fires, AFP reported, citing emergency services.

"The situation is most severe in the parish of Sameiro" near the town of Manteigash, which is located in the Serra da Istrela mountain range - seriously damaged by the big fires in the summer, announced Pedro Araujo from the National Service for the Protection of the Population, BTA informed.

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"The heavy rains have caused landslides in the areas destroyed by the fire in August, which have brought logs, mud and remnants of the ash," said the mayor of Manteigas, Flaviu Massanu, to the Portuguese state television "RTP".

The bad weather caused extensive damage, damaging "pavements, bridge abutments, street lights, roofs and commercial establishments," a local representative added, and said there were no reports of injuries.

Manteigash is one of the municipalities located in the central Serra da Istrela mountain range, which in August suffered the worst fires in Portugal this year, lasting several days.

The flames, which engulfed the heart of the natural park, included in the UNESCO list of cultural values, affected about 25,000 hectares of vegetation on the mountain, 2,000 meters high.

Portugal

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