Drought problems continue in Italy’s largest river, the Po

The problem of drought, which started in the country last summer, continues in the winter months due to the low level of rainfall compared to normal. The water source most affected by the drought is the country’s largest river, the Po. The water level of the Po, which comes from snowmelt waters and rainfall in the Alps, is said to have dropped to critical levels due to the drought.

In media reports, it was noted that the water level at some points passing through the Lombardy region of the Po was approximately 3.2 meters lower than the standard. Especially at the location of the Gerola Bridge between the Piedmont and Lombardy regions, the water in the river bed was seriously reduced, and cracks formed in the ground due to the lack of water.

It was claimed that the net decrease in water flow in the Po River was also reflected in satellite imagery. It was recorded that the decrease in the Po level was clearly seen in the images taken by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite, the observation program of the European Space Agency (ESA).

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION IS ON STRIKE

According to data from the Italian Farmers Association (Coldiretti), the decrease in the water level in the Po, which is an important resource for the country’s agricultural production, caused a decrease of only about 30 percent in rice production. in the region in the summer of 2022.

The CIMA foundation, which carries out climate research in the country, also announced in February that the rate of snowfall in the Italian Alps has halved from sources feeding the Po, and that there is 53 percent less snow. snow compared to the average for the Italian Alps. last 10 years.

The right-wing coalition government led by Giorgia Meloni had determined a 4-point roadmap to combat the drought crisis in early March. Accordingly, a control mechanism will be established at the Prime Minister to cover all relevant ministries and an extraordinary commissioner will be responsible for the execution of the work of this mechanism.

In this context, the “National Water Management Plan” will be determined, the necessary efforts to combat the drought will be accelerated and an awareness campaign on the responsible use of water resources will be launched. (AA)