Environment minister urges water restraint amid red heat alert

Environment and Energy Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho asked the public to conserve water, noting some municipalities are recording above-normal consumption in supply systems, not due to shortages in rivers or dams. Speaking in Galicia after inaugurating a new Portugal-Spain electricity interconnection, she also acknowledged the risk of localised power outages from heavy air conditioning use during the heatwave, as seen in France and other European countries. The IPMA has extended a red heat warning through Sunday across ten districts, with temperatures reaching up to 44°C, prompting health authorities to issue heatwave guidance to municipalities.