In Venice, the gondolas have touched down.
For the past few days, a low tide deemed "exceptional", has hit the City of the Doges, giving way to a tide of mud.
If this phenomenon is quite frequent in January and February, this decline is remarkable because of its duration.
This is due to a fairly typical meteorological phenomenon in the City of the Mastiffs, and is opposed to what the Italians call Acqua Alta, a period of flooding affecting the city between autumn and spring.
The phenomenon is extraordinary, not for its intensity, "
but for its duration
", explains the municipal tide forecasting center, quoted by the Italian television channel TGCOM24.
Boats are pictured in a canal during a high low tide in the lagoon city of Venice, Italy, February 17, 2023. MANUEL SILVESTRI / REUTERS
According to the Italian daily Corriere Della Sera, this low tide is particularly long due to the lack of precipitation.
And these anticyclonic conditions do not only affect Italy, they concern a large part of Europe, including France, where it has not rained for 31 days.
A record.
Read alsoWeather: on the 31st day without rain, the unprecedented winter drought worries
The most serious problem arises for the emergency services, such as the water ambulances of the Suem 118, which in certain situations are forced to stop before their destination.
“
We often have to stop far from the point of intervention and continue on foot, and in many cases we had to carry the patient in our arms.
Relief is still guaranteed, but with much more difficulty
, ”explains Paolo Rosi, the head of emergencies at the Italian daily.
Boats are pictured in a canal during a high low tide in the lagoon city of Venice, Italy, February 17, 2023. MANUEL SILVESTRI / REUTERS
According to Italian experts, the phenomenon could worsen because of the full moon on Tuesday and the situation should last until next Friday.
Boats are pictured in a canal during a high low tide in the lagoon city of Venice, Italy, February 17, 2023. MANUEL SILVESTRI / REUTERS
