At least 32 people have died in floods and...

Southern Madeira was hardest hit as winds of more than 100 km/h and torrential rain lashed the island overnight.

Another 68 people have been taken to hospital for treatment.

Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates said he was "shocked by the images, by the consequences of this calamity."

Portugal is reported to be considering the declaration of a state of emergency in the worst hit areas.

The storms are reported to be the heaviest to hit the island, which has a population of 245,000, since October 1993, when eight people died.

MOSCOW, February 20 (RIA Novosti)