Northern Italy's economic powerhouses, Veneto and Lombardy, have declared regional emergencies as a severe water crisis grips the area this summer.
Extreme winter and spring weather have depleted water reserves, prompting immediate response plans.
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A combination of snowless winters and intense early spring heat has reduced mountain snowmelt, pushing river and lake systems to critical levels just before the agricultural irrigation season.
Veneto's Emergency Declaration
Veneto Regional President Alberto Stefani signed a decree declaring a state of emergency after data showed a continuous decline in precipitation from March to May.
Rainfall dropped by 21% in March, leading to a 28% hydrological year deficit by late May, equivalent to a loss of about 2.4 billion cubic meters of water.
Water discharge from major rivers, including the Po, Piave, and Brenta, decreased by 21% to 23% compared to average levels, raising risks of saltwater intrusion in the lower Po.
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To protect agriculture, Veneto implemented a maximum water conservation strategy, restricting non-priority usage and mandating a minimum discharge for the Adige River.
Lombardy's Water Shortages
Lombardy is experiencing an average water deficit of 36%, with shortages exceeding 40% in major basins like the Ticino, Adda, Oglio, and Brembo.
While conditions have not reached the record 61% deficit of the 2022 drought, water levels in reservoirs and hydroelectric plants have dropped alarmingly.
Lombardy initiated interregional coordination, securing an agreement with upstream hydroelectric plants to release 4 million cubic meters of water into Lake Como.
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Authorities are also finalizing a contract to supply 10 million cubic meters from Lake Idro to Hydro Dolomiti Energia in the neighboring Trento region.
