Italy faces its worst drought in 70 years. The River Po – Italy’s longest river – has already dried up in some places. Lombardy’s regional president, Attilio Fontana, has already declared a state of emergency over the drought. As part of the measures, water could also be rationed during the day. In several parts of Italy, the water is already closed at night.
“There are areas that have been particularly affected, such as the Po River Plain, the Eastern Alps and some regions of central Italy. However, the problem is widespread at the state level,” said Fabrizio Curcio, head of civil defense. The River Po, Italy’s longest river at more than 600 kilometers, has reached historically low water levels.
Precipitation this year was 50 percent lower than the average of previous years and the decrease in snowfall was even 70 percent. The consequences of water scarcity are serious for agriculture, fisheries and electricity production.
Fires also ravaged the country
Since June 15, more than 200 fires have been reported in different regions of the country, compared to 80 in 2021 and just 30 in 2020. “When fires break out in such a severe drought, fighting the flames is particularly difficult,” he said. he. The southern Italian region of Apulia has been particularly affected by the fires. A fire north of the Adriatic port city of Bari destroyed 250 hectares.
No precipitation expected
Meteorologists warn that the heat wave in Italy is likely to last at least ten days. At least through July 4-5, the African high pressure area is expected to continue, with some isolated thunderstorms only in the Alps and the northwest. Five degrees Celsius above average has already been measured in the Mediterranean. No significant precipitation is expected in the next ten days, meteorologist Mattia Gussoni said. The extreme drought prevailing in the north, in Tuscany, in Lazio, in Puglia and especially in Calabria, will get worse.
Archbishop of Milan calls for prayers for water
In the face of severe water shortages in Italy, a pastor in the famous Tuscan wine region of Chianti has called on the faithful to pray for rain. The population was asked to conserve water. Air conditioners should not be set lower than 26 degrees Celsius. In the metropolis of Milan, the first wells have already been closed.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
