Vineyards, olive groves decimated by weekend rain and hail

The mayor of Valpaços in Portugal’s north said today that “a hail storm” over the weekend “wiped out a year’s work” in vineyards and olive groves and that “farmers needed someone to come to their aid (…) It was a tragic weekend for the municipality of Valpaços,”  Amílcar Almeida told Lusa, referring to heavy rain accompanied by hail and wind that hit the municipality in the district of Vila Real on Saturday. In some places, there was a loss of almost 100% in vineyards, olive groves and vegetables, he said.