Power Shortage Concerns Lead to Ban on Store Temperatures Below 26℃
Archbishop of Milan Prays for Rain During Church Visits
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyun-jung] Italy, experiencing the worst drought in history, has decided to shut off fountains in some cities. The archbishop is visiting churches to pray for rain.
According to Bloomberg on the 26th (local time), Giuseppe Sala, mayor of Milan, Italy, signed a city ordinance the previous day to shut off public fountains. The city explained that this decision was made following the declaration of a state of emergency in the surrounding Lombardy region, where an abnormally early heatwave and drought have persisted for several months. Nearby Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont have taken similar measures.
Mayor Giuseppe Sala stated that public fountains will cease operation except those necessary for flora and fauna requiring fresh water, and the use of water sprinklers will be further restricted except for young saplings.
The mayor also mandated that stores in Italy cannot set their thermostats below 26℃ and urged businesses to keep doors closed while operating to prevent overloading the power grid.
Additionally, Mayor Sala requested via social media posts that people minimize water usage when cleaning homes, private gardens, terraces, and courtyards.
The religious community has also taken action. Mario Delpini, Archbishop of Milan, has been visiting churches on the outskirts of Milan since the weekend, holding prayer meetings wishing for the "gift of rain."
Italy's drought has dried up major irrigation rivers, raising concerns over approximately 3 billion euros in losses in the agricultural sector. Copagri, the Italian agricultural producers' association, forecasts that about 30-40% of seasonal crops will be lost.
While the current crisis is caused by abnormal heat and lack of rainfall, the Italian National Institute of Statistics estimates that 42% of drinking water is lost annually through drainage systems. Italy is notorious for its poor water infrastructure.
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