Italian government declares state of emergency over drought in five regions in the north

Until December 31, 2022, Lombardy, Piedmont, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia will be under a state of emergency due to the water shortage. This will make it easier for the government to free up funds and support to combat the effects of the drought in the Alpine regions and areas along the Po. Rome has made EUR 36.5 million available to the regions.

The state of emergency is therefore in place in the areas worst hit by the drought. Northern Italy in particular is currently experiencing severe drought. Large lakes such as Lake Garda have considerably less water than usual at this time of year.

The water level in the Po – Italy’s longest stream – dropped so low that miles of salt water seeped into the riverbed at the mouth of the sea. In some places, the level is the lowest in 70 years. Cities like Pisa and Verona have recently restricted water use. Venice and Milan have cut off some of their sources.

The severity and likelihood of droughts have almost certainly increased in the Mediterranean and other regions of the world as a result of climate change.