drought
Water rationing in Northern Italy – Heat in France
A wheat field in eastern France: Not much is growing here anymore. Photo: Jean-Philippe Ksiazek/AFP/dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
Authorities are reporting extreme drought in the Piedmont and Lombardy regions after weeks of no rain. The level of the river Po is as low as it was 70 years ago.
A historic drought has forced northern Italy to take drastic measures. 125 municipalities in the Piedmont and Lombardy regions have recently been asked to stop or throttle the drinking water supply to households at night.
The association of water and energy suppliers Utilitalia sounded the alarm in view of the extreme drought, especially in the areas through which the Po flows, Italy’s longest river.
Lowest water level in 70 years
The Po River Authority reported the worst drought and lowest water level in 70 years. In many places only a trickle remains of the normally mighty river. “The situation is getting worse and worse,” Meuccio Berselli told the Ansa news agency. “In some areas it has not rained for 110 days.” Dozens of communities are already using tankers to transport water because the water reservoirs are empty.
On Friday – just the world day to combat desertification and drought – a crisis meeting is planned in Rome with Minister of Agriculture Stefano Patuanelli. Attilio Fontana, President of the Lombardy Region, announced on Thursday that he would declare a state of emergency. The situation is “dramatic”, and not only in Lombardy, but also in Piedmont, Emilia-Romagna and Veneto.
Heat warning also in France
With the heat wave in France, people have to adjust to temperatures of up to 42 degrees locally. This was announced by the weather service Météo France on Thursday in its updated forecast. The highest temperatures are therefore expected on Saturday, with the southwest being the hottest. However, values of up to 40 degrees can be achieved almost everywhere. Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne warned the population to be careful. The red warning level was declared in twelve departments. People should drink enough, stay cool and look after their neighbors.