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The Italian government around Prime Minister Mario Draghi declared a state of emergency on Monday evening due to water shortages in five northern Italian regions. 35 million euros to limit the negative effects of the drought that has been going on for months will be made available for the regions of Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Emilia Romagna, as it was said after a meeting of the Council of Ministers.
The region of Emilia Romagna, where the Po River is located, will receive the largest amount – 10.9 million euros. Northern Italy in particular is currently experiencing severe drought. Due to the ongoing water shortage, the state of emergency could soon also be applied for in the central Italian regions of Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio.
According to the Coldiretti farmers’ association, there are 270,000 farms in the regions affected by the drought. “The water shortage is a national emergency!” said the head of the farmers’ association, Ettore Prandini.
The water level in the Po River – Italy’s longest river – dropped so low that salt water seeped into the riverbed for miles at the mouth of the sea. In some places, the level is lower than it has been in 70 years. Large lakes such as Lake Garda have significantly less water than usual at this time of year. Cities like Pisa and Verona recently restricted water use. Venice and Milan turned off part of the fountains.
Source: Nachrichten
