Here we go again: between floods and landslides, Italy must face the effects of new extreme weather events

Italy is facing an autumn marked by extreme weather events that are bringing several regions to their knees. Veneto, Emilia-Romagna and Campania, with the islands of Ischia and Capri, they are the latest victims of a meteorological situation that seems unwilling to provide respite, with landslides, floods and a constant hydrogeological threat. Torrential rains, the transit of swollen rivers and the fragility of the territory are creating a serious emergency scenario.

The special surveillance: the Po river

The red alert in Veneto represents a clear signal of how critical the situation is. The Po riverthe longest watercourse in Italy, is now under close monitoring: drones constantly fly over the area to monitor the progress of the flood, especially in the areas of Rovigo and Polesella, where the risk of flooding remains high. There Civil Protection has issued a warning that will remain valid until the passage of the flood is completed, hoping that the river does not exceed the banks already put to the test.

Veneto is not the only region in alarm: the Civil Protection has extended the orange alert to Emilia-Romagna toowhere several waterways, including the Panaro and the Secchia, are at the limit of their capacity. The hydrogeological risk is particularly high in the hills of Bologna and Modena, where the soil, already fragile, is not able to withstand the continuous rains. Some areas are still trying to recover from recent floods and the arrival of new rainfall makes the situation worse.

Ischia and the constant fear of landslides

To the south, the island of Ischia experiences a continuous alert condition. The images of the streets transformed into rivers, with the water carrying away vehicles and debris, have now become a tragic symbol of an emergency that seems to have no end.

The mayor of Lacco Ameno, Giacomo Pascaleexpressed concern for the fragility of the island, recalling that “every downpour puts our hearts in our mouths“. The flood of November 26, 2022, which caused 12 deaths and displaced hundreds of people in Casamicciola Termeis still an open wound for the Ischia community. Although maintenance and cleaning works on the riverbeds are ongoing, the conformation of the territory and the dated infrastructure represent a difficult challenge to overcome.

Climate change is a key factor in understanding intensification, and above all the amplification of the effects of these extreme events. Pascale stressed that the drainage systems, built in the 1950s, cannot handle the load of current rainfall. Hope is placed in the intervention plan put in place by the Extraordinary Commissioner Giovanni Legnini, approved by the government and currently being implemented.

Bad weather spares no one: widespread alert in Emilia-Romagna

Not just Ischia and Veneto: Emilia-Romagna continues to experience difficult days. Rain and storms hit the region with force, causing widespread flooding and worrying rises in waterways. In mountainous and hilly areas, the risk of landslides is real, so much so that the army was called to intervene in some of the most affected areas, such as Farneto, near San Lazzaro di Savena. Here, the work of the military is fundamental for removing the rubble and trying to restore traffic.

The constant presence of thunderstorms has also put the authorities in Lombardy and other northern regions on alert. According to meteorologists, the advent of intense rainfall will continue in the next few dayswith storms expected especially in Piedmont and Liguria. In these regions, the so-called “atmospheric rivers” – currents of moist air coming from the tropical Atlantic – are fueling unprecedented precipitation, making conditions even more critical in territories already saturated with water.

Climate change and territorial fragility: a dangerous combination

The problem, now evident, is linked to the growing intensity of extreme meteorological events. Francesco Nucerameteorologist at 3bmeteo.com, explains that the southward movement of the Polar Front has led to a significant increase in precipitation in Europe, especially in Italy and France. This phenomenon, associated with the so-called atmospheric rivers, has contributed to recording well above average rainfall quantities.

The consequences of these phenomena are manifesting themselves in an increasingly dramatic way. The infrastructures, often dated and unsuitable to manage such abundant rainfall, collapse under the weight of the water, while the morphology of the Italian territory, particularly fragile, makes it difficult to prevent landslides and floods. And, as always, the local communities pay the price.

With a new disturbed front arriving over the weekend, the risk is that the situation will worsen further. The Po and its tributaries will remain under observation, as will the territories already devastated by recent floods. The whole of Italy, from North to South, is experiencing a moment of great uncertainty. Climate change is making itself felt more and more clearly, forcing the country to deal with its historical structural and territorial fragility.