Major Floods Hit Venice: City Faces Severe Water Crisis and Evacuations

The city of Venice, Italy, has been severely impacted by major floods caused by heavy rains and an unusually high tide known as acqua alta. Beginning late Monday night and continuing into Tuesday, the floods have resulted in water levels reaching record highs, submerging over 70% of the city’s streets and squares.

Impact on Venice

• Iconic locations like St. Mark’s Square experienced water levels nearly 150 centimeters above normal.
• Severe damage to historic buildings was reported, along with widespread disruption to daily life.
• More than 1,000 residents and tourists were evacuated from the most affected neighborhoods.
• Temporary shelters have been established to assist displaced individuals.

Emergency Response and Government Actions

1. The Venice City Council declared a state of emergency.
2. Rescue teams are navigating flooded streets using boats and special equipment to provide aid.
3. Mayor Luigi Brugnaro urged citizens to avoid flooded areas and called on the national government for additional support.
4. The Italian government has pledged to fast-track the completion and maintenance of flood defense systems like the MOSE project.

Transportation and Infrastructure Disruptions

• Water buses and ferries have reduced or suspended services on various routes.
• Parts of the city’s electrical infrastructure were damaged, causing power outages.
• The Venice Port Authority temporarily suspended shipping traffic through the lagoon.

Ongoing Concerns and Future Outlook

Experts link the increasing frequency and intensity of such floods to climate change. Authorities continue to monitor weather forecasts that predict more rain and high tides in the coming days. Repair efforts are expected to be costly and time-consuming, impacting businesses and residents alike.

The MOSE project, designed to protect Venice from flooding via a system of mobile barriers, was partially activated during this event but remains under testing and improvement.

Stay tuned to Questiqa Europe News for the latest updates on this developing situation.

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