Italy specially Venice is facing a new drought alert after weeks of dry winter weather, with Alps receiving less than half of their normal snowfall, according to scientists and environmental groups.
The warning comes as Venice, where flooding is normally the primary concern, faces unusually low tides that are making it impossible for gondolas, water taxis and ambulance to navigate some of its famous canals.
Lack of rain, a high pressure system, a full moon and sea currents are said to be blamed for the problems in Venice.
Italian rivers and lakes are suffering from a severe lack of water, the Legambiente environmental group said on 20 February. The Po, Italy’s longest river which runs from the Alps in the north- west to the Adriatic has 16% less water than normal at this time of the year, it added in a statement.
Last year, Italy declared a state of emergency in five northern regions surrounding the Po River amid the worst drought in 70 years. The Po flows through Italy’s heartland where 40% of its food is produced. More than hundreds of municipalities in northern Italy rationed drinking water amid the drought.
Giorgio Zampetti, director of Legambiente said in a statement, “2024 has just began but its showing the worrying signs in terms of extreme weather events and drought levels.”
Third warmest January was recorded in Europe this year as per, Copernicus Climate monitor.
Households in some parts of Italy could face having their tap water supply limited in the coming months after dry weather led to a winter drought, Italy’s ANBI water resources association has warned.
“We are in a water deficit situation that has been building up since the winter of 2020-2021,” said Massimiliano Pasqui, a climate expert in Italy’s National Research Council (CNR)
The Italian government will hold a crisis meeting on 1st march to discuss plans for lessening the impact of water shortage, according to Italian newspaper.
