© Reuters
The Italian government has declared a state of emergency in five regions of the country due to the severe drought. This was stated in the cabinet decision Monday evening, according to the government of Prime Minister Mario Draghi.
source: BELGA
Until December 31, 2022, Lombardy, Piedmont, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia will be under a state of emergency due to water shortages. This will make it easier for the government to provide funds and support to combat the effects of drought in the Alpine regions and areas along the Po River. Rome provided 36.5 million euros to the regions.
Thus, the state of emergency is in effect in the areas most affected by drought. Northern Italy in particular is currently experiencing a severe drought. Large lakes such as Lake Garda have much less water than usual at this time of year.
The water level in the Po River – Italy’s longest stream – has fallen so low that miles of salt water seeped into the river bed at the mouth of the sea. In some places, the level is at its lowest level in 70 years. Cities like Pisa and Verona have recently restricted water use. Venice and Milan cut off some of its sources.
The severity and likelihood of droughts has almost certainly increased in the Mediterranean and other regions of the world as a result of climate change.
(Belga)
