Severe weather continues to batter central and southern Italy, triggering widespread disruption and raising concerns about infrastructure stability. A key transportation artery collapsed this morning – the bridge over the Trigno River on State Road 16 “Adriatica” in the Molise region – severing road connections to the Abruzzo region. The collapse, which occurred in the territory of Montenero di Bisaccia, prompted the closure of the road yesterday as river levels began to rise, ultimately leading to flooding. The extreme weather system, impacting the region for nearly 72 hours, has also halted rail service along the Adriatic line between Fossacesia and the Port of Vasto due to flooding of the Osento River.
The situation is particularly acute for travelers. Approximately 800 people were stranded overnight at the Pescara train station awaiting bus transportation, while similar delays affected passengers at the Ancona railway station. Further compounding the difficulties, the hospital in Penne, in the province of Pescara, is currently without a direct water supply due to a break in a water main caused by the storms. The ongoing adverse weather is impacting multiple regions, with landslides, flooding, and infrastructure failures reported across the affected areas.
Bridge Collapse and Regional Isolation
The collapse of the bridge on the SS16 Adriatica is a major blow to connectivity in the region. Authorities had been monitoring the structure due to rising water levels in the Trigno River, but the bridge ultimately succumbed to the force of the floodwaters. In addition to cutting off road access to Abruzzo, a second bridge connecting Montenero di Bisaccia to San Salvo, in the province of Chieti, has also been closed as a precautionary measure, further isolating communities. The decision to close the second bridge followed a meeting in Campobasso between prefects and provincial presidents from both Molise and Chieti, according to local officials.
Widespread Disruptions and Emergency Response
Emergency services are stretched thin across the affected regions. Firefighters in the province of Campobasso have bolstered their response capabilities, calling in personnel and resources from other regions to assist with rescue and relief efforts. The level of the Guardialfiera lake, and consequently the Liscione dam, is rising rapidly, prompting close monitoring by local authorities. Vincenzo Tozzi, the mayor of Guardialfiera, reported that the lake level had risen nearly a meter overnight, reaching the spillway. “The streams are all swollen, and due to the flooding of the Cervaro, I had to close a municipal road,” he stated, according to ANSA. An Air Force helicopter conducted an aerial survey of the Liscione dam yesterday afternoon.
Flooding is widespread. The Carpino River has overflowed its banks, inundating parts of Provincial Road 45 in Carpinone and the industrial area of Pettoranello del Molise, in the province of Isernia. Rail service between Foggia and Caserta has been restored late yesterday evening, following repairs to the line damaged by flooding of the Cervaro River near Bovino, but disruptions remain possible.
Concerns Mount Over Dams and Water Supplies
Beyond the immediate impacts of flooding and infrastructure damage, authorities are closely monitoring the region’s dams. The Occhito dam, located on the border between Puglia and Molise, has seen its water level rise significantly in the past two days, increasing from 107 million cubic meters to 176,460,920 cubic meters this morning. Carlantino Mayor Graziano Coscia expressed concern about the potential for a full-scale breach if rainfall continues at the current rate. “If it continues to rain like this for another two days, there could be a full-scale flood,” he warned. The situation at the Occhito dam is being monitored by technical teams meeting in the prefecture.
In the province of Pescara, the rupture of the Tavo Sud water pipeline has left the Penne hospital without a direct water supply. The Aca, the public company responsible for water management, has deployed water tankers to provide an emergency supply and maintain hospital operations. Water shortages are also affecting the towns of Loreto Aprutino, Picciano, Collecorvino, Pianella, Moscufo, Spoltore, and Montesilvano Colle. Significant pressure drops have also been reported in the hilly areas of Pescara, with technicians working to redirect water from the Giardino aqueduct to the Valle Furci reservoir.
State of Emergency Declared in Abruzzo, Isolation in the Marche
Francesco Menna, President of the Province of Chieti, has formally requested a state of emergency in response to the widespread flooding, landslides, and compromised infrastructure, including the severed connection to Molise via the collapsed bridge. “The assessment of the damage is certainly significant and extensive,” Menna stated in a video message. “I will invite the mayors and administrators to provide us with all the data so that People can contact the Abruzzo Region and the Government to ensure that this state of emergency is followed up on.”
In the Marche region, approximately 90 residents of Pozza, a hamlet in the municipality of Acquasanta Terme, remain isolated due to a landslide that has blocked the only access road. The situation highlights the vulnerability of communities in mountainous areas to extreme weather events.
Further south, in Basilicata, three families have been evacuated from a building in Rapolla (Potenza) after a retaining wall collapsed due to the heavy rainfall. Firefighters and municipal technicians are on the scene.
The Ofanto River, in northern Puglia, is also at a critical level, prompting the municipality of Canosa di Puglia to close roads near the ancient Roman bridge and secondary roads leading to the Loconia district.
Authorities are urging residents in affected areas to exercise caution and limit unnecessary travel. Updates on road closures, rail service, and emergency measures can be found on regional government websites and through local news outlets.
Looking ahead, officials are closely monitoring rainfall forecasts and dam levels. The focus remains on ensuring the safety of residents, restoring essential services, and assessing the full extent of the damage. The Civil Protection Department is expected to provide a comprehensive damage assessment in the coming days, which will inform requests for national aid.
This is a developing story. If you are affected by the severe weather in central and southern Italy, please check with local authorities for the latest information and assistance.
