Italy has declared a state of emergency in the five northern states and announced emergency funding due to a severe drought that hit the Po Valley in recent weeks.
Cabinet approved a state of emergency in five states – Emilia-Romagna, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lombardy, Piedmont, and Veneto – until December 31, the government said in a statement announcing the 36.5 million euro (£ 33.8m). to help the victims.
Italy is experiencing a scorching climate and a lack of rainfall, especially north of the Po agricultural district, where the worst drought has hit in 70 years.
An emergency provides “extraordinary means and power” to help ensure public safety, compensation for losses, and seeks to ensure the everyday living conditions of those in the area.
According to Italy’s most significant agricultural organization, Coldiretti, the drought threatens more than 30% of national agricultural production and half of the farms in the Po district, where Parma ham is produced.
The lakes of Maggiore and Garda have experienced lower levels of water than usual this time of year, while the south of the Tiber River, which flows through Rome, also drops.
The Po River is the largest body of water in the peninsula, used mainly by farmers.
