The Italian government plans to declare a state of emergency in connection with the severe drought that has affected some areas of the country, Prime Minister Mario Draghi’s office said, as quoted by the DPA news agency.
A meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers will be held later today, at which measures will be announced for the most affected regions. Among them is the north of the country with its large lakes, including Lake Garda, which has much less water than usual at this time of year.
Water levels in the Po, Italy’s longest river with a delta near Venice, are at their lowest in 70 years in some parts of its course. The cities of Pisa and Verona imposed water restrictions, while Venice and Milan turned off some fountains.
The observed increase in the severity and frequency of dry spells in the Mediterranean region is attributed by many to climate change, the BTA notes.