“Daytime water rationing” cannot be ruled out. This was stated by the head of the Civil Protection, Fabrizio Curcio, interviewed by Sky Tg24 on the drought emergency that is threatening agricultural yields. “In some areas of the country it is certainly not excluded that water rationing leads to a temporary closure even during the day – said Curcio – It will be necessary to understand the meteorological signs of the coming weeks. We will also have moments in which the water will arrive and probably will arrive all together ».
Curcio added that work is underway on defining criteria and measures for declaring a state of emergency. “I think in the next few days, at the latest in the next few weeks we will have clear measures and we will be able to declare a state of emergency,” he said.
Curcio: in Italy 40-50% less rain
The emergency, Curcio stressed, also arises from the halving of the amount of rained water in recent years. “We have been talking about climate change for years, discussing what climate change is, how they impact our territory this period is a faithful photograph of these arguments – he said – Italian photography is 40-50% of the quantity of water it rained less this year than the averages of recent years. We had up to 70% less snow ».
The flow of the Po, the main Italian river, has reduced by 80%. “We have rivers like the Po, for example, one of the most important rivers nationwide for the life that develops around that river, which has flow rates up to 80% less – highlighted Curcio – So we have a generalized situation of lack of water resources, therefore a general lack of rain. In some areas it has an absolutely important impact at the agricultural level, at the fish level, as well as the production of electricity. The situation is generally complex throughout the country ».
Fire alarm, 6 times more than in 2020
Curcio also underlined the growth in fires, which have multiplied compared to the values reached in recent years. The fires this year are more than double last year and more than 6 times more than in 2020. “From June 15th to yesterday there were almost 199 intervention forms compared to 80 in 2021 and 30 in 2020. We are very worried, ”said Curcio.