Northern Italy battered by relentless storms and floods
Northern Italy is once again grappling with extreme weather conditions. Due to heavy rainfall, many rivers have overflowed, inundating streets and homes. In some towns, strong winds are causing devastation by toppling trees and lampposts. Dramatic footage has appeared online.
Northern Italy is experiencing severe weather disruption. Heavy rain and snow, along with strong winds, have led to rising river levels and landslides. Consequently, many towns have suffered transport paralysis.
A red alert is in effect for rivers in 100 municipalities in Piedmont. According to ANSA, in the municipality of Biella, a bridge connecting the towns of Mongrando and Borriana collapsed due to the heavy rains. Fortunately, no one was injured.
In the town of Ponte dell’Olio, in the province of Piacenza, water inundated the streets and some houses in the town centre. The town of Macugnaga, in the province of Cusio Ossola, was cut off after a landslide blocked national road 459.
In the Aosta Valley, a fourth-degree avalanche threat is active. The fresh snow poses a danger to lower-lying areas. During the night, a decision was made to close the Great St Bernard Tunnel - a key road link with Switzerland.
Downpours cripple northern Italy
In Lombardy, firefighters have intervened over 500 times, mainly in Milan, clearing fallen trees and pumping water from basements. City parks have been closed, and a yellow weather alert has been issued, with residents advised to avoid being under trees or near scaffolding. In Lodi, strong winds toppled two lampposts onto the ring road, and a falling tree fragment struck a passing car.
In Rome itself, due to the gales, the fire brigade has intervened over 100 times since Wednesday evening.
The downpours are expected to continue until the end of Thursday, with total rainfall potentially reaching 40 millimetres over 48 hours.
