(TDB) - A torrential downpour which saw more than a month’s worth of rain and hail fall in a few hours has struck Pinhão in the Douro Valley causing severe damage to vineyards and local infrastructure.

Speaking to the drinks business, Adrian Bridge managing director of the Fladgate Partnership said that over 80mm of rain had fallen in total on Monday evening (28 May) washing away soil, damaging terraces and roads (the Pinhão to Sabrosa road was cut for several hours) across the area and even sparking a flash flood in the centre of the town.

It took just three hours for over 80mm of rain to fall which is apparently double the average amount for May for the past 30 years.