A Italy live the worst drought in 70 years, in various regions of the country. Five of them, including Veneto and its capital Venice included, are in a state of emergency.
Some restrictions on water consumption were imposed, in Verona and Pisa, for example. In some cities there is no water at night and others are supplying water using water trucks.
After four months of almost no rain, river Po, the longest in Italy, has broken records in terms of its water levels. Rice and corn production has come to a standstill in the north of the country. The National Farmers' Association estimates that the cost is more than 3 billion euros – around R$16 billion.
Ettore Ferrarini, a cattle producer, explains that he implemented a “ventilation system for cows to help them deal better with the heat”. An investment of 65 thousand euros to which is added the cost of electricity. “The fans run 24 hours a day”, he says.
There are also growing concerns about hydroelectric plants, which generated around 40 to 50% less energy in recent months.
Summer in Italy is expected to be hotter and with little rain. This could further worsen the situation in the Veneto regions, Emilia Romagna and Lombardy, Friuli Venice Giulia, Lombardy and Piedmont.
