A deep area of low pressure formed over the Ionian Sea is causing a marked worsening of the weather across much of the South. The disturbed system, gradually moving towards the Balkans, is fueling intense rainfall, thunderstorms and very strong winds. The first regions involved were Calabria, Basilicata and Puglia, where the rainfall began yesterday evening, extending in the early hours of today also to eastern Campania.
Orange alert and schools closed
The Department of Civil Protection has issued a warning of adverse weather conditions, reporting scenarios of moderate criticality in various areas of Southern Italy. The orange alert concerns Puglia, a large part of Basilicata and the northern Ionian sector of Calabria: here the hydrogeological risk is high, with the possibility of landslides, flooding and rising watercourses.
View this post on Instagram
The alert led several municipalities to order the closure of schools. In Calabria, lessons are suspended in Acri, Crosia, Longobucco, San Cosmo Albanese, while in Catanzaro and San Giovanni in Fiore the stop is due to damage to the aqueduct. In Puglia closures in Taranto, Crispiano and Leporano, with the exception of the schools involved in the competition tests.
Gale winds and risk of storms
The disturbance brings with it very strong south-eastern winds, capable of reaching storms especially along the Ionian belt of Basilicata and Puglia. The authorities warn of the possibility of storm surges on the most exposed coasts, while the gusts risk causing further problems to the road network and maritime connections.
High water in Venice and yellow alert in other regions
The bad weather does not spare the North-East: Venice is preparing for a new wave of high water, with peaks expected to exceed 105 cm. The Tide Center will monitor the evolution to evaluate the possible total or partial lifting of the Mose, once again called upon to protect the historic centre.
Yellow alert instead in Tuscany where locally strong showers and thunderstorms are underway, Molise, Campania, in the remaining areas of Basilicata and Calabria and in Sardinia. Here, in particular in the Campidano area, the alert has led to limitations on parking in some streets of Cagliari to prevent damage from flooding.
You might also be interested in:
