The absence of rain is putting Italy to the test. Here is the drought map from North to South.
PIEDMONT – It is the most affected region: in over 200 municipalities, water is rationed. The reservoirs are at an all-time low with an average reduction of 40 to 50%. In three days, Lake Maggiore lost one meter: the level went from 193.89 meters to 192.83. The waters of the Po have never been so shallow for 70 years.
VALLE D’AOSTA – Snowfields already melted as in August and flow rate of the Dora Baltea almost halved compared to a year ago: only 135 cubic meters per second compared to 243 at the time. The water stored in the snowpack compared to the historical average is down by 40-50% (the worst figure since 2002).
VENETO – It is in the province of Verona that the emergency is most felt: 40 municipalities have adopted water rationing. Also in Veneto the Po shows signs of suffering and the Adige and the Piave are at negative guard levels. Rainfall 40% lower than in 2021.
LOMBARDY – The main problems concern agriculture with damage estimates of 2 billion euros. The Region invites citizens to consume water in moderation. “For now the situation in Lombardy is under control – assured the governor Attilio Fontana”.
LIGURIA – Critical but without alarm the situation. In fact, the Region supplies Emilia with water for agriculture. If in 2021 the flow rate of the reservoirs in this period was about 36 million cubic meters, today it is 28.5. The most difficult situation is in the Imperiese with 13 municipalities that have restrictive ordinances.
FRIULI VENEZIA GIULIA – First rationing of water along the Meduna river. The situation remains an emergency with the reserves drying up.
TRENTINO ALTO ADIGE – The flow of the Adige is 24% lower than the average. In the municipality of Ronzo-Chienis, the supply of water to the population was suspended between 11 pm and 6 am.
EMILIA ROMAGNA – Record heat with temperatures 3 degrees higher and rainfall 62% below average. Water almost completely absent in the land and agriculture in particular suffering. First stops for hydroelectric production. The ascent of the saline wedge, now 21 kilometers away, is of concern. Emergency measures for the Ferrara aqueduct.
TUSCANY – The scarce rains are insufficient to recharge the underground aquifers that feed the wells, especially on the coast. But there are no situations of serious water crisis.
BRANDS – Flow rate of rivers at historic lows due to the lack of rainfall -53% compared to the average of the last ten years. The rivers Esino and Misa, Metauro and Chienti are particularly observed.
ABRUZZO – First problems for agriculture, with a reduction in the production of crops in the field such as wheat, by at least 15%, according to Coldiretti.
MOLISE – In Molise the situation is calm. The water level at the reservoir of the Liscione dam (116 meters) is one meter higher than last year. Some suffering is recorded in the cereal crops on the coastal strip.
LAZIO – Zingaretti has announced a state of natural disaster. He will also be used to take water saving measures in Rome. The most serious situation is in the Viterbo area. Suffer the Tiber and Lake Bracciano: the river has a worrying decline, the lake is -107 cm, considered a critical level.
UMBRIA – Three centimeters drop for Lake Trasimeno and six centimeters for the Tiber river in just 4 days. The Trasimeno has lost one meter and 23 centimeters on the Polvese island, while the level of the Tiber is one meter and 12 centimeters (instead of between 4.50 and 5.70 meters)
CAMPANIA – The levels of the rivers drop but the reservoirs do not for now fall below the guard level: that of the Piano della Rocca dam on the Alento river contains 64% of its capacity.
BASILICATA – No emergency for now. In the Basilicata reservoirs there are about 408 million and 300 thousand cubic meters of water.
PUGLIA – The pre-alarm phase has been triggered. Thanks to the winter rains in the reservoirs, the situation is similar or in some cases better than last summer. The fears concern the agricultural sector.
CALABRIA – The fears mainly concern olive growing. The increase in temperatures jeopardizes the production of flowers and fruit with an average damage of 10%, over 60% on the Ionian coast.
SICILY – In the 25 dams throughout the territory, the water exceeds the levels of last year with water volumes equal to 572.85 million meters compared to 477.09 in 2021. But the island remains the Italian region with the greatest risk of desertification, of medium-high value, equal to 70%.
SARDINIA – Despite the drop in rainfall with peaks of -30% from mid-December to March, drought is not scary: thanks to a greater accumulation due to stocks, 80% of the potable water is present in the dams.
Source: Ansa
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