The Italian region of Emilia-Romagna is struggling with the effects of flooding. About a thousand residents have been evacuated. Authorities have carried out hundreds of rescue operations, some using helicopters. A search is underway for a person who is believed to be trapped under one of the collapsed houses.
Rivers in the Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany and Marche regions in northern Italy have burst their banks after days of heavy rain caused by the Boris low, which previously caused devastating flooding in Poland. According to regional authorities, up to 350 liters of rain per square meter fell in those regions in 48 hours.
The national fire service said it had carried out more than 500 rescues in Emilia-Romagna alone, some of which required the use of helicopters. Footage released by the Italian defence ministry showed firefighters and soldiers saving people from the roofs of flooded houses, including in the town of Lugo, where a hospital was evacuated.
Rescue operations in Emilia-Romagna using a helicopterReuters
The situation is difficult in the hamlet of Traversara, near Bagnacavallo, where the walls of some houses have collapsed under the pressure of the flood wave. The search for one missing person is ongoing.
The town of Modigliana suffered greatly, where, according to Mayor Jader Dardi, “the river exploded.” In the city of Forli, the Montone River burst its banks, but the water did not reach the center.
Water also entered several towns near Bologna. Train traffic was suspended on several sections.
The flooded Emilia-Romagna regionPAP/EPA/MAX CAVALLARI
According to the Italian news agency ANSA, firefighters carried out over a thousand interventions in two days, and over 250 units worked on the site.
Effects of flooding in northern ItalyPAP/EPA/MAX CAVALLARI
The weather is improving, but the threat is still there
A red alert is still in effect in the threatened areas due to the effects of the terrible weather conditions. According to weather forecast in this region will improve in the coming days, so on Saturday the warning will most likely change to orange. In the regions of Emilia-Romagna and Marche there is a risk of landslides.
This is the second flood in just over a year to hit these areas. In May 2023, more than 10,000 people were evacuated due to a disaster in the Emilia-Romagna region.
Main image source: Reuters