https://sputniknews.com/20230222/bad-omens-drought-alert-looms-over-italy-as-venice-canals-run-dry-1107685521.html
Bad Omens: Drought Alert Looms Over Italy as Venice Canals Run Dry
Bad Omens: Drought Alert Looms Over Italy as Venice Canals Run Dry
Fears of another drought as canals in Venice, Italy, run dry.
2023-02-22T05:18+0000
2023-02-22T05:18+0000
2023-02-22T05:41+0000
italy
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Gondolas, water taxis and ambulances are standing idle, tied up along some of Venice’s iconic canals because of severe low tide, with scientists sending out dire warnings.We have all become accustomed to the sight of Italy’s famous tourist venue, the city of Venice, inundated, with visitors trudging through flooded St. Mark’s square in wellies. But now there are worries that last July’s drought – the worst in decades that prompted the government to declare a state of emergency in the north of Italy – will be repeated this summer.The country has suffered weeks of extremely dry winter weather, with the Alps having received less than half the snowfall typical for the season, according to scientists and environmental groups. Specifically in Venice, the current plight is being blamed on a combination of factors, ranging from lack of precipitation and a high pressure system, to a full moon and the sea currents.In the north of the country, the situation is particularly worrying, with the rivers and lakes already showing drastic lack of water. Italy’s longest river, the Po, which runs from the Alps in the north-west to the Adriatic, is at its lowest levels for around 35 years. The Po at present has 61 percent less water than it ought to have at this time of year, the Legambiente environmental group highlighted in a statement on 20 February.Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy and a tremendously popular holiday location in northern Italy, on the route between Brescia and Verona, is witnessing record low water levels. Startling images from the lake show that a pathway has been exposed by the receding water allowing visitors to reach the island of San Biagio on the lake on foot.The weather has also been linked to an anticyclone dominating western Europe for slightly more than two weeks, bringing warmer than usual weather.Warnings of a drought that could affect farming, hydropower and availability of drinkable water come after Italy having been forced last year to declare a state of emergency for areas surrounding the Po. The area, accounting for about a third of the country’s agricultural production, had been hit by the most devastating drought in 70 years.The 2022 drought resulted in an estimated €6Bln ($6.4Bln) damage to agricultural produce, according to Italy’s biggest farmers’ association, Coldiretti. Unless spring brings the much-needed rains with it, a third of this year’s production is at risk, the association added.
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italy, venice canals, canals run dry, fears of another drought, devastating drought in 70 years, extremely dry winter weather, less than half of the snowfall in the alps, high pressure system, full moon, the sea currents, the po, lowest water level in 35 years
italy, venice canals, canals run dry, fears of another drought, devastating drought in 70 years, extremely dry winter weather, less than half of the snowfall in the alps, high pressure system, full moon, the sea currents, the po, lowest water level in 35 years
05:18 GMT 22.02.2023 (Updated: 05:41 GMT 22.02.2023)
The country’s most devastating drought in 70 years forced the Italian government in July 2022 to declare a state of emergency in five northern regions. Agriculture had taken a severe hit, as farmers struggled to keep their crops alive.
Gondolas, water taxis and ambulances are standing idle, tied up along some of Venice’s iconic canals because of severe low tide, with scientists sending out dire warnings.
We have all become accustomed to the sight of Italy’s famous tourist venue, the city of Venice, inundated, with visitors trudging through flooded St. Mark’s square in wellies. But now there are worries that last July’s drought – the worst in decades that prompted the government to declare a state of emergency in the north of Italy – will be repeated this summer.
The country has suffered weeks of extremely dry winter weather, with the Alps having received less than half the snowfall typical for the season, according to scientists and environmental groups. Specifically in Venice, the current plight is being blamed on a combination of factors, ranging from lack of precipitation and a high pressure system, to a full moon and the sea currents.
In the north of the country, the situation is particularly worrying, with the rivers and lakes already showing drastic lack of water. Italy’s longest river, the Po, which runs from the Alps in the north-west to the Adriatic, is at its lowest levels for around 35 years. The Po at present has 61 percent less water than it ought to have at this time of year, the Legambiente environmental group highlighted in a statement on 20 February.
Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy and a tremendously popular holiday location in northern Italy, on the route between Brescia and Verona, is witnessing record low water levels. Startling images from the lake show that a pathway has been exposed by the receding water allowing visitors to reach the island of San Biagio on the lake on foot.
The weather has also been linked to an anticyclone dominating western Europe for slightly more than two weeks, bringing warmer than usual weather.
“We are in a water deficit situation that has been mounting since the winter of 2020-21. We need to recover 500 millimeters in the north-western regions: we need 50 days of rain,” climate expert Massimiliano Pasqui, from Italian scientific research institute CNR, was quoted as saying by Italian media.
Warnings of a drought that could affect farming, hydropower and availability of drinkable water come after Italy having been forced last year to declare a state of emergency for areas surrounding the Po. The area, accounting for about a third of the country’s agricultural production, had been hit by the most devastating drought in 70 years.
The 2022 drought resulted in an estimated €6Bln ($6.4Bln) damage to agricultural produce, according to Italy’s biggest farmers’ association, Coldiretti. Unless spring brings the much-needed rains with it, a third of this year’s production is at risk, the association added.
IL PRIMO ECOMMERCE SPECIALIZZATO IN DELIZIE AL TARTUFO E CAVIALE – CAVIAREAT.COM