Status: 04.11.2021 6:43 p.m.
Venice is once again threatened by floods due to storms and strong winds. To prevent flooding in the historic center, the city activated the new Moses protection system – with success.
Storms with floods and strong winds – the red warning level still applies in Venice. The city center, however, has so far been largely spared from damage. Because the new, mobile Mose flood protection system is obviously having an effect, even if it has only been in trial operation so far.
Last night, among other things, the 78-tonne barriers at the edge of the lagoon were raised. The result: Venice’s city center, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, remained largely dry, although a water level of almost 1.40 meters was measured in front of the lagoon. A flood that has led to flooding of the center in similar situations in recent years.
Venice’s mobile dam Moses
Venice’s deputy mayor Andrea Tomaello is relieved that this time it went off lightly: “With the activation of Moses, things are different now. The city remains dry. We can continue to live and work, even when there is a flood. And we can look ahead .
95 percent of the city spared from floods
Despite the storm, 95 percent of Venice’s city center was spared from flooding last night. Only part of St. Mark’s Square, the lowest point in the center, was covered with water. The flood protection system was also activated this morning when the water levels in front of the lagoon rose again.
The last major flood to date in Venice two years ago had caused severe damage in the old town – without the intervention of Moses. At that time the water level had risen to over 1.80 meters. Sea water penetrated St. Mark’s Basilica and destroyed, among other things, precious mosaics.
The changing climate, says Marco Favaro from the city’s flood warning and reporting center, is making itself felt in Venice: “The average sea level is rising, we see that through our regular measurements. The forecasts assume a further increase and this means more frequent increases Flood for Venice. ”
The Mose protection system – abbreviation for “Modulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico” (experimental electromechanical module) – with its mobile barriers is only used in particularly dangerous weather conditions with predicted water levels of over 1.30 meters.
Deceptive idyll: this time, thanks to the Moses system, only St. Mark’s Square is flooded, but the salt water of the lagoon causes severe damage to the buildings during high water – or aqua alta, as it is called in Venice.
Image: AP
Delay in construction due to dispute and corruption
The five billion euro project had long been disputed, among other things corruption scandals delayed the completion of the building by eight years. In view of the success these days, Vice-Mayor Tomaello wishes that the Mose flood protection can be activated more frequently in the future: “The Mose system is of fundamental importance for the city Activate water levels so that the parts of the city that are always under water first also remain dry.
Environmentalists are against activating the flood protection system regularly or even continuously. Flood expert Favaro is also skeptical: “From a technical point of view, it would be possible to keep Moses closed all the time, but of course that is not possible. The balance is important between protecting the city and protecting the ecosystem in the lagoon.”
Another flood wave for Venice is predicted for the coming night. The weather situation should only calm down on Sunday.
Flood in Venice: flood protection Moses prevents worse
Jörg Seisselberg, ARD Rome, November 4, 2021 6:25 p.m.