Venice canals ebbing as Italy braces for another year of drought

• 

Following last summer's catastrophe, weeks of dry winter weather have sparked fears that Italy would suffer another year of severe drought, with the Alps receiving less than half of their average snowfall, as per scientists and environmental organizations.

The warning comes as Venice, where flooding is generally a major problem, experiences exceptionally low tides, making it impossible for gondolas, water taxis, and ambulances to navigate parts of the city's iconic canals.

A mixture of reasons is being blamed for the troubles in Venice, including a lack of rain, a high-pressure system, a full moon, and sea currents.

The Legambiente environmental group stated on Monday that Italy's rivers and lakes are severely depleted of water, with the north of the nation receiving special attention.

The Po, Italy's longest river that flows from the Alps in the northwest to the Adriatic, has 61% less water than usual this time of year, according to a statement.

Last July, Italy announced a state of emergency for the areas surrounding the Po, which accounts for nearly one-third of the country's agricultural output and was experiencing its worst drought in 70 years.

Here's what #Italy's longest river looks like after the worst #drought in 70 years hit the country.#ClimateCrisis pic.twitter.com/8GyaZkH6DO

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) June 23, 2022

Water levels on Lake Garda in northern Italy have reached record lows, allowing access to the lake's small island of San Biagio through an exposed pathway.

For the past 15 days, an anticyclone has dominated the weather in Western Europe, delivering moderate temperatures more typical of late April.

The latest weather projections, however, indicate that much-needed precipitation and snow will arrive in the Alps in the coming days.