'Alps Glacier Collapse' Italy Declares State of Emergency in 5 Northern Regions

The Worst Drought in 70 Years

[Photo by AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] Major foreign media reported on the 4th (local time) that the Italian government has declared a state of emergency in the northern region of Italy, which is suffering from extreme heatwaves.

The Italian government announced that it declared a state of emergency in five provinces around the Po River, including the northern Emilia-Romagna region, and will provide 36.5 million euros in support. The state of emergency will last until the end of this year.

The northern region of Italy has suffered significant damage due to an early arrival of the heatwave this year and the worst drought in 70 years.

The Po River, which is the longest river in Italy at 650 km in length, has seen many of its tributaries dry up recently due to the drought, causing severe damage to crops. According to Italian agricultural organizations, more than 30% of Italy's agricultural production is expected to be affected by the severe drought.

Not only Italy but the entire European continent and North Africa have been suffering from extreme heatwaves since last month. Last month, many places in Europe recorded the highest temperatures ever for June.

Due to the heatwave, on the 3rd, a glacier and rock mass suddenly fell from the summit of Marmolada (3,343 m above sea level), the highest peak of the Dolomiti Mountains in northern Italy, causing casualties. So far, at least 7 people have died, 8 have been injured, and 14 are reported missing.

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, after visiting the accident site, told reporters, "This unprecedented incident is undoubtedly related to the worsening environmental and climate conditions."