Many areas of Italy are facing drought due to a shortage of rainfall and high temperatures. The government has declared a state of emergency in the areas around the cities of Parma and Piacenza, in the Emilia-Romagna region. The measure has been taken “as a consequence of the ongoing water crisis, due to a long drought period since fall 2016, worsened by high summer temperatures and major tourists flows”, a statement reads. Eight million and 650 thousand Euro will be made available to the two areas.
Temperatures in the country are 1.9 degrees higher than the season average. Several regions have called for help from the ministry of Agriculture and the government. The Po river in the Piedmont region is 65% below the seasonal norm. Mayors and governors of the regions are issuing measures to address the emergency.
Virginia Raggi, the mayor of Rome, has issued an order requiring citizens to limit unnecessary water use, including the liquid used to irrigate gardens, to wash cars and to fill swimming pools. “Water is a precious resource that must always be protected, especially when there is reduction of supply sources. We want to prevent citizens from experiencing inconveniences during the summer caused by poor water availability”, she said. The regions of Veneto, Sardinia, Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany have declared the state of emergency. Coldiretti, the association of Italian food producers, has warned that agricultural production is at risk, including vegetables, fruit, cereals, tomatoes, sunflowers and vineyards.