Over 20 rivers in Italy have experienced overflow, resulting in the loss of 13 lives and the displacement of numerous individuals from their residences. This calamity was caused by an unprecedented amount of rainfall, equivalent to half a year’s worth, which occurred within a 36-hour period.
On Thursday, additional corpses were discovered following the inundation of nearly all rivers spanning from Bologna to the northeastern coast, which spans a distance of 115km (70 miles).
According to the statement made by the mayor of Ravenna, a city that has been severely impacted by flooding, to the BBC, the current situation is the most catastrophic event to have occurred in the past hundred years.
According to Michele de Pascale, the floods resulted in catastrophic damage, leading to the loss of homes, possessions, and in some cases, lives for individuals residing in his city and the surrounding area.
The duration of 48 hours was characterized by unfavourable circumstances. Roberta Lazzarini, aged 71, reported that the entire village was inundated by water and mud.
Her home of Botteghino di Zocca, south of Bologna, was hit by a torrent on Wednesday. The inundation of streets, houses, and gardens caused Roberta to express her ongoing fear.
To the best of my knowledge, I have not observed anything of that nature in this location. We encountered a situation where we were faced with a lack of direction and were uncertain about the appropriate course of action. The speaker expresses a desire for the event in question to not occur in the future.
The firefighters provided assistance to the inhabitants in evacuating their residences, among whom was a 97-year-old woman who had to vacate her bedroom via a rubber dinghy.
The urban core of Lugo, situated outside Ravenna, was among the municipalities that experienced severe inundation. Ines, the proprietor of the local cafe situated in the central square, expressed that the community is in a state of disrepair. This statement was made to her mother, Roberta. The individuals experienced a sense of exclusion and seclusion, with some expressing genuine fear.
According to Lamieri, aged 74, the current flood situation is unprecedented in his recollection, despite previous instances of flooding. He was found clearing mud from his basement, which his son utilizes to stock items for his souvenir store located in the central region of Bologna.
The roadway transformed into a body of water. All the belongings that were kept in this location have been lost. The estimated amount of damage is in the thousands of euros.
The province of Emilia-Romagna has experienced flooding in numerous villages and towns, resulting not only from rivers but also from overflowing canals.
On Thursday, additional evacuations were carried out in the western region of Ravenna, and further fatalities were discovered. Among the deceased were a pair of individuals found in a residential unit in the village of Russi, which had been inundated with water mere hours prior.
There is a growing consensus among experts that Italy requires a comprehensive national strategy to effectively address the impacts of climate change.
According to Civil Protection Minister Nello Musumeci, Italy has already experienced tropical conditions, resulting in precipitation of 20cm within a span of 36 hours, and in certain regions, up to 50cm.
According to the speaker, prolonged aridity causes soil to undergo cementation, which significantly reduces its ability to retain moisture.
According to the speaker, there has been a 40-year gap in the construction of regional dams, indicating the necessity for a novel approach to hydraulic engineering.
The government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has scheduled a crisis meeting for the upcoming Tuesday.
According to the leader of Italy’s opposition Democratic Party, in an interview with the BBC, the entire political system bears responsibility for the disaster, and politicians have failed to adequately confront the challenges presented by climate change.
According to Elly Schlein, the former vice-president of Emilia-Romagna, Italy’s susceptibility to flooding and other water-related calamities such as droughts has been persistently disregarded by consecutive administrations.
Numerous variables are involved in the occurrence of flooding; however, an elevated temperature in the atmosphere, resulting from climate change, increases the probability of intense precipitation. To date, the global temperature has increased by approximately 1.1 degrees Celsius since the onset of the industrial era. Unless there is a significant reduction in emissions, temperatures will continue to escalate, necessitating action from governments worldwide.
On Tuesday evening, Antonio Francesco Rizzuto, a legal professional aged 55, was compelled to vacate his residence located adjacent to the river and has since relocated to his daughter’s abode situated in a nearby village.
According to his statement, the event occurred unexpectedly and on a larger scale than anticipated. Prior to our departure from the residence, the water level exhibited a steady increase with each passing minute. Upon our return yesterday, we observed that our living room was entirely inundated. It will be necessary to dispose of a significant portion of our furniture. According to Stefano Bonaccini, the incumbent regional president of Emilia-Romagna, the expenses incurred due to the damages amounted to billions of euros.
Evacuations were mandated in the western towns of Ravenna during the night. The inhabitants of Villanova were instructed to take refuge on higher levels following a deluge that swept through the historic district of Lugo.
On Thursday, the city of Lugo experienced flooding once again, while the coastal town of Cervi also suffered from the same phenomenon.
On May 17, 2023, in the village of Massa Lombarda, located approximately 10 kilometres from Imola, a law enforcement officer was observed holding a juvenile during the course of rescue operations.
Search and rescue operations were conducted in the rural community of Massa Lombarda, situated approximately 10 kilometers from Imola. The Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix scheduled to take place at Imola over the weekend was cancelled due to the potential hazard posed by the Santerno River’s flooding in the vicinity. On Tuesday, a significant portion of the regions adjacent to the racetrack, designated for parking and spectatorship, were inundated with water.
In addition to the inundation of 23 rivers, the Zena stream underwent a significant surge in Botteghino di Zocca.
Lino Lenzi, an octogenarian, was positioned within his daughter’s erstwhile horticultural plot, presently inundated with copious amounts of soil and debris, with the playthings of his progeny fully immersed.
The individual expressed that they have resided in this location for a span of 70 years and have not encountered a situation of this nature before. They further added that the water has inundated the area extensively.
Lino Lenzi attributes the lack of river dredging in recent years to the failure of the authorities. The property has been in the possession of the family for multiple generations, and recently, the daughter completed a renovation of the house.
The water level inside the kitchen has risen to the point where it is at ankle height. On the preceding day, the height of the object exceeded 2 meters (equivalent to 6.5 feet).
The water was removed utilizing various household items such as buckets, pots, and pans.
Lino expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of dredging activities in the nearby rivers over an extended period of time.
No individuals have arrived to provide assistance. No assistance has been provided by the government or local authority.
The efficacy of rescue operations has been hindered by the inundation of numerous roads and the widespread power outages experienced by several towns.
Lino received assistance solely from an adolescent male who resides in the vicinity. The individual proceeded to pass by and visually perceived that assistance was required.” He provided assistance in the relocation of our furnishings.
Prolonged and heavy precipitation persists in certain regions of Northern Italy, resulting in flooding.