More than 200 flights have been cancelled in Portugal as Storm Charles brought heavy rainfall and strong winds to the country on Wednesday.

Axar.az reports, citing Reuters, that schools, hundreds of supermarkets and businesses were also closed, while the government placed emergency services and army units on alert and advised residents to remain indoors.

Portugal's Civil Protection registered 538 incidents since midnight, with authorities maintaining high alert levels over the risk of flash floods, strong winds and rough seas.

Meanwhile, neighbouring Spain was also preparing for the storm's arrival. Authorities maintained the evacuation of more than 3,000 residents in Piedralaves over the risk of a local dam overflowing, as further heavy rainfall was forecast.