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Flooded road in the province of Ancona: landslides and mudslides
Photo:
FIRE BRIGADE / REUTERS
The president of the Marche region, which was hit by the storm, Francesco Acquaroli, speaks of a “very serious meteorological crisis”: At least six people have died on Italy’s Adriatic coast after heavy rain and flooding.
This was announced by the authorities.
The city of Ancona, which is popular with tourists, is particularly affected.
In addition, three other people were missing in the province of the same name, which is located in the Marche region, as the Ansa news agency reported at night, citing civil protection.
The Ancona provincial government said the flooding was a result of the afternoon's persistent rains.
420 millimeters of rain
Region President Acquaroli wrote on Facebook that there was cause for extreme concern.
On Thursday, civil protection called on residents of the coastal town of Senigallia north of Ancona to go to higher-lying areas in view of the flooding.
As the Italian newspaper "La Repubblica" reports, citing a director of civil protection, 420 millimeters of rain per square meter are said to have fallen within two to three hours - half the usual amount in a whole year.
There have been landslides and mudslides on the roads.
According to the report, the mayor of Barbara in the province of Ancona, Riccardo Pasqualini, spoke of a really dramatic and tragic situation.
He is quoted as saying: "I urgently ask you not to go out and not to use the car." And: "God help us." All available civil defense, carabinieri and fire brigade forces are in action.
The power supply in the area is currently considered unstable, and the telephone network is also disrupted.
Small mountain streams turned into raging torrents due to the rain.
School has been canceled in many places due to the storm.
apr/dpa
