The environmental group Legambiente has raised alarm over long-running drought conditions in the north of Italy, with canals, rivers, and lakes all suffering. 

Venice, Italy is facing an unusual problem due to severe drought and low tides. As a result, the canals that are normally filled with water are now almost dry. Reuters reported that grounded water taxis and low-lying gondolas are sitting at the bottom of canals. 

The popular tourist spot known as “Water City” is becoming waterless. The grounding of gondolas and water taxis is an all-too-common sight. And now exposed foundations of buildings that are normally underwater are also seen.

Visitors don’t need a boat to get to San Biagio Island. And it is now accessible by foot traffic.  Lake Garda in the country’s north is at record-low levels because of drought. 

The current dry conditions in Venice are being blamed on multiple issues, including low tides, sea currents, and a full moon. 

They have reached a state of "average" water severity in three of the seven hydrographic districts.

Environmental Group requests intervention

 The group has called on the Italian government to define a national water strategy with short, medium, and long-term interventions that favor adaptation to climate change and immediately reducing water withdrawals and waste.

Normally, Venice has a problem with flooding. In 2019, the city experienced historic floods. However, the current drought emergency has led to muddied steps that are normally underwater being visible in the city's major "highways," and water ambulances have been unable to access some routes.

The situation in Venice is part of a larger problem in Italy, with the Alps receiving 53% less snow over the winter. Scientists say since the Alps got less than half the usual snowfall, all that water didn’t trickle downstream to local water sources. And the Po River, which serves much of northern Italy, has 61% less water than usual.

 Italy has declared a state of emergency in the agricultural areas served by the Po, as the drought has severely affected crops and irrigation systems.

To address the current crisis the Legambiente group has proposed eight pillars for a national water strategy. The strategy aims to have a circular approach and focuses on short, medium, and long-term interventions that can help the country adapt to climate change and reduce water withdrawals and waste. 

With the increasing impact of climate change the group believes “urgent and effective action is needed.” And they want to begin to mitigate the impact of drought and water shortages in Italy and other parts of the world.