The Po river drought { 17 images } Created 22 Jun 2022
The river Po drought
Italy June 2022.
This is the worst drought in the last 70 years. Caused by the high temperatures and the lack of rain and snow during the winter on the Alps, the level of the water of the biggest river in Italy has never been so low in the last 70 years.
Many regions such as Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia Romagna and Piedmont will ask for a state of emergency. Water must already be delivered by trucks and many towns will ration supplies to preserve drinking water.
Along the river boats are now lying on the river bed, a WWII 55m wreck sunk during an allied bombing re-emerged from the low water in Gualtieri, in Mantua a German tank.
Next month's forecast is dry and hot and the situation is probably only getting worse.
Actually the river's depth in some areas measures 4 meters below the zero gauge and its flow rate is a fifth of the average for the month of June, 300 cubic meters per second.
The lack of water is a huge issue for the local agriculture industry, 2 billions of euros have already been lost.
Now many banks are now large beaches where people camp near the water or drive with their 4x4 cars.
Italy June 2022.
This is the worst drought in the last 70 years. Caused by the high temperatures and the lack of rain and snow during the winter on the Alps, the level of the water of the biggest river in Italy has never been so low in the last 70 years.
Many regions such as Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia Romagna and Piedmont will ask for a state of emergency. Water must already be delivered by trucks and many towns will ration supplies to preserve drinking water.
Along the river boats are now lying on the river bed, a WWII 55m wreck sunk during an allied bombing re-emerged from the low water in Gualtieri, in Mantua a German tank.
Next month's forecast is dry and hot and the situation is probably only getting worse.
Actually the river's depth in some areas measures 4 meters below the zero gauge and its flow rate is a fifth of the average for the month of June, 300 cubic meters per second.
The lack of water is a huge issue for the local agriculture industry, 2 billions of euros have already been lost.
Now many banks are now large beaches where people camp near the water or drive with their 4x4 cars.
