Deadly floods hit Iraq as thunderstorms sweep across region

Uma rua inundada em Erbil, norte do Iraque. Fotografia: Sabur Rashid/Zuma Press Wire/Shutterstock. Ver imagem em tela cheia. Uma rua inundada em Erbil, norte do Iraque.

Photograph: Sabur Rashid/Zuma Press Wire/ShutterstockWeather trackerEnvironmentDeadly floods hit Iraq as thunderstorms sweep across regionViolent storms lash northern Iraq and parts of Iran, while Portugal faces strong winds and Japan braces for further snowfall.

Prefer the Guardian on GoogleDeadly flash floods hit northern Iraq on Saturday as severe thunderstorms swept across the region, including in neighbouring Iran. The city of Erbil, in Iraq, was particularly badly hit, with extensive damage to homes and businesses.

Streets were inundated as torrential rain fell over a short period.

Rainfall exceeded forecasts, with an estimated 80mm falling in the city, compared with expectations of 30mm. Two people were killed in the floods.

Na Europa, a tempestade Bruna está prevista para trazer ventos fortes a Portugal nesta semana, particularmente ao longo da costa oeste. Rajadas devem atingir 50mph (80km/h), com chuvas fortes e trovoadas também previstas.

The total rainfall could reach 200mm by the end of the week. The storm has already affected the Canary Islands, where Tenerife recorded a gust of 80mph on Saturday night.

Japan experienced a cold and snowy end to last week, with further snowfall expected in Hokkaido and parts of the mountains in the main island Honshu.

Os resorts de esqui estão se preparando para os visitantes após a queda de neve ter começado na sexta-feira. A queda total de neve deve atingir 30-50 cm ao redor de Kiroro e Niesko, com cerca de 20-30 cm em Furano, Rusutsu e Sapporo.

Other resorts could receive up to 20cm of snow by Wednesday. Strong winds accompanied the snow on Friday and over the weekend, with gusts of about 75mph in Kiroko and Niesko.

Em números

• Rajadas devem atingir 50mph (80km/h), com chuvas fortes e trovoadas também prevista