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Lake Garda in Italy has less and less water. The extreme drought in the north of the country breaks new records at the start of the tourism and farming season.
ROME – The situation in Italy remains tense as water levels in the north of the country remain at record lows. Last year, the water level at Lake Garda recorded a situation that it has not experienced in living memory. Extreme heat and drought have been plaguing the popular holiday destination for several years – and the situation is getting worse. Because the hot summer of 2022 was followed by a dry winter, winter rain and meltwater from the mountains have largely failed to materialize.
With an area of 370 square kilometers, Lake Garda is one of the largest inland waters in Italy and is one of the largest water reservoirs in the whole country. But at the end of March, the latest dramatic figures on the current water levels were published.
A trip to Rome: Visit the capital of Italy
A trip to Rome: Visit the capital of Italy
Extreme drought in Italy: water levels of Lake Garda and Po near historic lows
Like the weather portal weather Online reports that the water level of Lake Garda is currently close to its historic low. The level of the popular holiday lake is therefore almost 60 centimeters lower than at the same time last year. Without sustained rain, Italy faces a water crisis with far-reaching consequences for agriculture and food supplies.
Losses in wine, olive oil and durum wheat had already been indicated in Italy last year. The Italian agricultural association Coldiretti has also sounded the alarm: “The situation is worse than last year,” the association warns.
Lake Garda water levels | |
March 31, 2023 | 47 centimeters |
2018 | 90 centimeters |
2013 | 130 centimeters |
Source: Agenzia Interregionale per il fiume PO (AIPO) |
Like employees of the portal weather Online from Italy report that the soil is bone dry and the river levels are reaching new records. On the Po, Italy’s longest river, a new negative record was set in April. According to media reports, the river was a trickle. The starting situation for the summer is therefore dramatic. Measures taken in the hope that the water level of Lake Garda would rise again have little effect.
Water crisis in Italy: holiday season is approaching – communities are calling for water savings
For vacationers, the low water levels mean new attractions and wider beaches. However, most people view the situation with concern. The communities in northern Italy are now urgently calling for water conservation. Especially with a view to the upcoming holiday season and the hot summer, the water supply around Lake Garda and for agriculture in the Po Valley must be guaranteed.
The cabinet of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has therefore passed a corresponding decree. New steps are planned in the fight against water scarcity and waste. A special commissioner with far-reaching powers is to be appointed and a body set up to oversee the process focus.de. Italy is also planning eight billion euros for the renovation of the water pipes, since a water loss of up to 50 percent is suspected through dilapidated pipes in the ground. (hg)
List of rubrics: © IMAGO/Manfred Segerer
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