Specific, in the prosperous region of Lombardy the situation is especially critical. The Mayor of Milan, Giuseppe Hall, like many others in the north, has invited citizens to “minimize the use of drinking water both for domestic use and to irrigate private gardens”. In addition, it has closed all the city’s fountains and has suspended sprinkler irrigation of lawns and green areas to limit water consumption to the bare minimum.
The Minister of Agricultural Policies, Stefano Patuanelli, explained today that in many areas of the country there is “a dramatic situation” and that the so-called red zones, those in which there is a decrease in the levels of rivers and lakes and where there is a lack of water resources, are expanding more and more and therefore “almost the entire country in the coming weeks will be in the red zone.”
The director of Italian Civil Protection, Fabrizio Curciohas also warned that “daytime water rationing in homes cannot be ruled out”, after night supply cuts are already being carried out in some areas.
This is the case of the city of Verona, where the authorities have limited the use of drinking water. Until August 31, watering gardens, sports fields and filling swimming pools is prohibited. It is only authorized for domestic use.
The lack of accumulated rainfall is alarming. In the transalpine country there has been between 40% and 50% less rainwater this year compared to the average of previous years and up to 70% less snow.
The country declared state of emergency for the areas surrounding the Po River – Emilia Romagna, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Lombardy, Piemonte and Veneto – allocating an initial €36.5 million ($38 million) of funds to help them cope with water scarcity.
These five regions of the rich Italian north account for approximately a third of the agricultural production of the country that is suffering from the tragic drought.
The Po is the longest river in the country in the shape of a boot that runs for more than 650 kilometers through the north. However, many sections of the riverbed have dried up and farmers say the flow is so low that seawater seeps inland, destroying crops.
The government decree allows authorities to skip red tape and take immediate action if they deem it necessary, such as imposing water rationing for households and businesses.
H2O: the formula that is in short supply in Europe
Added to the terrible drought that is punishing Italy is the great heat wave in this incipient summer, together withclimate change and excessive consumption that are converting the drinking water a rare commodity in Europe.
Swiss it is the country with the highest consumption per capita with around 300 liters per day. Italy follows with 245 litres. Spain with just under 150 litres, it is ahead of Germany, a country with fewer drought problems.
In Portugal, 97 percent of the territory suffers “severe” drought and 1.4% “extreme” drought, which is the worst in more than 20 years. This is how the large reservoirs have reached really low levels, and agricultural production is threatened if the situation does not change.
Source: Ambito
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