After the rains, the Po rises 1.5 meters, but drought remains a threat – Corriere.it

Last week’s rains have mitigated but not resolved the drought problem, especially in the north-west. The level of the Po rose by one and a half meters compared to April, recovering the average level for the period (-2.20 meters at the Ponte della Becca near Pavia). In Pontelagoscuro, in the province of Ferrara, the flood reached a peak of 1,055 cubic meters per second, remaining well below the average monthly flow rate of 2,000 cubic meters per second at that station. Coldiretti, processing the Isac-Cnr data, reports that in the northern regions in the first four months of the year 40% less water fell than the historical average. How much these rains contribute to solving water shortages will only be seen in the coming weeks, explains Massimo Gargano, general manager of Anbi (National Association of Consortia for the management and protection of the territory and irrigation water). In fact, the situation of 2022 is being re-proposed, when a rainy start to spring gave hope for a turnaround after the driest winter for 70 years. Then the heat began as early as mid-May and the drought problem became an emergency.

Improve lake filling

The fill rates of the great lakes also rise. Lake Maggiore rose by 49 cm to 95.7% of the average filling for the period, Lake Como by 36 cm to 73.5%, Lake Iseo by 34 cm to 90%. Garda with 51.4% and Lake Idro with 53.5% remain well below the average. The exceptional nature of atmospheric events is now the norm due to the tropicalization trend which manifests itself with a higher frequency of violent events, seasonal lags, short and intense rainfall, significant temperature changes and extreme events that compromise crops in the fields with production losses agriculture and structures, underlines Coldiretti.

The situation in the regions

According to Anbi data, in Piedmont April was a very dry month (-47% rainfall with a peak of -70% in the Bormida and Tanaro basins). Groundwater levels remain 75% below the average for the period. In Lombardy the flows of Adda and Oglio go up again, but those of Serio and Mincio remain stationary. In Emilia Romagna after the flood, the flow rates of many Apennine rivers fell below the average monthly values ​​and even the western part of the region was almost completely excluded from the rains, so much so that the Taro nearly reached its historical minimum level. In Veneto the rains were 24% lower, the aquifers in the high plains are at their lowest in the last 20 years. In Tuscany the Serchio well below the historical averages, stable river levels in the Brands. In Umbria, despite the heavy rains, the conditions of Lake Trasimeno do not improve. In the Lazio the flow rates of the Aniene, Liri and Tiber rivers increase, the lakes of Nemi (+4 cm) and Bracciano (+3 cm) increase. In Campania the levels of the Volturno and Sele rivers are higher than those of the last five years.

In Europe

In France the prefecture of the Pyrénées-Orientales has announced that most of the department has been placed at maximum alert level due to the drought (-65% rain). The prefect has tightened restrictions on agricultural irrigation and banned the filling of swimming pools, the use of spas and beach showers. In Portugal, where 90% of the territory suffers from drought, the north-eastern and southern regions have been particularly affected and the agriculture minister has asked the European Commission for help. In Spain the level of the water basins of Catalonia and Andalusia 75% below the average for the period.