Italy is once again facing the possibility of a severe drought, with the Alps receiving less than half of their normal snowfall this winter, according to scientists and environmental groups. The warning comes after Venice, a city more commonly associated with flooding, has experienced unusually low tides that are making it impossible for boats and ambulances to navigate some of its famous canals.
The lack of rainfall this winter is raising concerns about the implications for farming, hydropower, and access to drinking water. Italy’s longest river, the Po, which runs from the Alps in the northwest to the Adriatic, has 61% less water than usual at this time of year. The situation is most extreme in Piedmont and Lombardy, where the water level in the Pavia area of the Po valley is 3 meters below the zero gauge, turning the riverbanks into beaches. This phenomenon is usually seen in summer.
Last year, the Po faced its worst drought in seven decades. Unless rain arrives in the spring, the river is likely to experience another severe drought. The growing prevalence of droughts is a further indication of the climate crisis, according to scientists.
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Italy’s River and Lakes :
Italy’s National Research Council (CNR) has reported that rainfall in the north was down 40% in 2022, and the absence of precipitation since the beginning of 2023 has been significant. The CNR warns that Italy’s rivers and lakes are facing another year of severe drought, with vast areas of the Po valley already parched. The water level on Lake Garda is the lowest during winter in 35 years.
The Po flows through Emilia-Romagna and Veneto, one of the most important agricultural zones in Europe. Last year’s drought caused €6bn (£5.4bn) worth of damage to agricultural produce. Italy’s biggest farmers’ association, Coldiretti, warns that a third of production is at risk this year unless another long and severe drought is averted.
Alessandro Bratti, the president of the Po basin authority, says the situation is most extreme in Piedmont and Lombardy, while in Trentino, it is affecting hydroelectric power production. “It is very critical because it hasn’t snowed or rained during this period and the forecast says it will stay this way.” says Bratti
Sea water creeping further up the river is an additional problem, filling aquifers and making them unusable for irrigating farmland. “Last year sea water entered for almost 40km [25 miles], which also causes a problem for drinking water as you need to use desalinators,” said Bratti.
In response to the crisis, the Italian government released €36.5 million in funds last summer to help areas affected by the drought. The funds allowed local authorities to bypass bureaucracy and take immediate action, such as imposing water rationing measures. Bratti says that hydrological infrastructure projects, such as building barriers to prevent the sea from entering the river, are being considered. A proposal to build 10,000 lakes and to introduce technical systems to reduce water waste in farming is also being discussed.
Italian Meteorological Society :
Luca Mercalli, the president of the Italian Meteorological Society, warns that nothing has changed since 2022. He said “We are still in a situation of deficit … let’s wait for the spring, which is usually the rainiest period for the Po valley. There is a good possibility that rainfall in April and May can compensate – it’s the last hope. If we have no spring rain for two consecutive years then it would be the first time this has ever happened.”
In addition to the Po, other Italian rivers and lakes are also facing drought conditions, including Lake Como, Lake Maggiore, and Lake Lugano. Environmental groups are calling for urgent action to address the climate crisis and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to prevent future droughts.
