The consequences of the severe storms in Italy are far from over. Nevertheless, one is now hoping for holidaymakers, because they bring income. What the situation is like on the ground.
Munich – After the severe storms that led to floods, landslides and at least 15 deaths in Italy, people are still struggling with the consequences on the ground. The clean-up work has already begun. And the struggle for normality has also begun, where it is possible. This includes the revival of tourism. In Germany, many people have planned a holiday over Pentecost. Some people are probably wondering whether a holiday in Italy is even possible at the moment.
After the drought and floods in Italy: this is the situation on the Adriatic Sea and Emilia-Romagna
But what is the current situation on the Adriatic Sea and in Emilia-Romagna? Both regions were hit particularly hard. After months of drought, the severe storms had literally overwhelmed the country. On one and a half days, there was sometimes as much rain as usual in half a year. Also because of the heavy development and the many sealed surfaces in Emilia-Romagna, the water could only seep away with difficulty.
After the storms, holidays in flooded areas in Italy are not possible everywhere
The region is still on red alert, even though the weather situation has stabilized in the meantime. However, meteorologists fear that the next few weeks will remain unstable. A number of places are still under water, especially near the city of Ravenna. But not the whole region is affected. In the part of the country west of the city of Bologna, people's everyday lives continue as normal.
Travel to the areas that are still flooded is sometimes not possible – there is a risk of further landslides. In the mountainous Apennines, some places are still inaccessible because the ground has slipped there. The Federal Foreign Office warns on the Internet with appropriate information against travel to the storm areas – but did not issue an official travel warning.
After drought and floods: On the Adriatic Sea and Lake Garda, people are waiting for holidaymakers
In the places on the Adriatic that are popular with tourists, such as Rimini, things look better, where they got off lightly in comparison. Even though there was also flooding in the seaside resort at the height of the storms. Many beaches on the Adriatic Sea were closed due to the storm chaos. The situation on Lake Garda has eased somewhat – dramatically low water levels were previously measured there. Due to the rain, the lake has filled up again, but the water is still much lower than in previous years.
The water level on Lake Garda has risen again somewhat after the drought that preceded the storms. (Symbolic image) © Manuel Romano/IMAGO
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Holidays in Italy: how to get to the Adriatic Sea and Rimini after drought and floods
Rimini's beaches have already been cleaned up for the most part, because it is now hoped that after the shock many holidaymakers and corresponding income will be generated. Tourism Minister Daniela Santanchè of the post-fascist Fratelli d'Italia party promoted holidays in Romagna. "This tragedy must not be followed by another, namely an economic one around tourism," she said in an interview with the newspaper La Stampa.
The seaside resort of Rimini is now easily accessible again via the A14 motorway, also known as "Adriatica", which was recently closed. Only the train line between Bologna and Rimini is still interrupted at Faenza. By the beginning of June, however, operations should be back to normal, the railway hopes.
Drought and floods in Italy: The weather in Italy is expected to remain extreme
The shock of the storm catastrophe in Italy is still deep. But the summer and the bathing and holiday season are imminent. In terms of weather, it could also be thick in the next few months, but in the other direction. "There are indications that June will be a little rainier than usual," says Carlo Cacciamani, director of the state agency ItaliaMeteo.
"After that, the rain could subside and we could be in for a hot summer." And that probably means: drought. Measures to save water are then not excluded, such as turned off fountains or empty swimming pools. Many experts are now of the opinion that the climate has already changed permanently and that regular extreme weather events are "the new normal" – also in Europe. (with dpa)
