2023-05-20 21:46:06
Submerged dwellings, isolated hamlets, submerged streets and houses… After two weeks of torrential rains, the region of Emilia-Romagna, in northeastern Italy, has been hit for several days by terrible floods and major landslides. These violent bad weather killed fourteen people and displaced 36,000, the region announced on Saturday. The showers not knowing any respite, the regional authorities have extended until Sunday the red weather alert.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced on Saturday that she would leave the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan prematurely to return to Italy and deal with the crisis. “Frankly, I cannot stay so far from Italy at such a complicated time,” she told a press conference, thanking the 5,000 people – members of the rescue teams and volunteers – who help the victims affected by the floods. She also thanked her G7 counterparts for their offer of assistance. The elected official should visit the areas most affected by the floods on Sunday.
Years to repair the roads
The Ravenna authorities on Saturday ordered the immediate evacuation of particularly exposed hamlets. A helicopter taking part in attempts to restore electricity crashed near Lugo on Saturday, injuring one of the four people on board, firefighters said. The floods caused more than 305 landslides and damaged or cut more than 500 roads in the region.
The streets of many localities in the plain were submerged by water after heavy rainfall and many inhabitants found themselves trapped, forced to take refuge in the floors or on the roofs of their houses, while many local roads were impassable. Bologna Mayor Matteo Lepore said it would take “months, and in some places maybe years” to repair roads and infrastructure.
Due to the floods, the Formula 1 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix which was to take place from Friday to Sunday has been cancelled. F1 promoter Formula One has not said whether the race will be rescheduled by the end of the season.
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