Record drought in the holiday region: there is a water shortage at the popular Lake Garda, local authorities warn of dramatic consequences. But some tourists like it.
The persistent drought and water shortage continue to make Italy difficult. The north of the Mediterranean country is particularly badly affected. Lake Garda, for example, is currently suffering from extremely low water levels. Compared to the previous year, the level has halved.
According to the Comunità del Garda, the information center for the entire Lake Garda region, it is currently 46 centimeters in the lake, which is popular with tourists – last year in the same period it was 99 centimeters. Local media report a water level that is “lower than ever”.
As seen in photos and videos, San Biagio Island, also known as Isola dei Conigli (Rabbit Island), on Italy’s largest inland body of water, was within walking distance earlier this year. Due to the lack of water, a thin strip of land has formed between the small island and the mainland. According to media reports, the phenomenon attracts many tourists.
“Concerning Situation”
The Po, Italy’s largest river, has also been badly hit by water shortages. The water levels are already lower than last year, as the district authority responsible for the Po announced on Thursday. The temperatures in March and the little rain in northern Italy played a role here. The individual small showers of the past few weeks do not help.
“Today, the predictions of the models and all the data collected show us a worrying situation,” said the Secretary General of the Po Authority, Alessandro Bratti. He therefore called for a “convincing and decisive strategy” to tackle the problem. As early as February, experts warned of a massive drought due to the low snow cover in the Alps and the lack of rain.
The government in Rome passed a decree last week that provides for far-reaching measures to combat the drought. A special commissioner and a committee are to be set up. The government also wants to free up funds to renew ailing water pipes. In some areas, more than 50 percent of the water has been lost to leaks, leaving the country vulnerable to droughts. But rainwater collection tanks, desalination plants and increasing the reuse of treated wastewater are also planned.
