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.
