It is probably also the effects of climate change. Venice is once again fighting the floods.
Venice – Due to storms and strong winds, the northern Italian lagoon city of Venice is threatened with flooding. The flood protection system “Mose” was therefore activated, wrote Mayor Luigi Brugnaro on Twitter late on Monday evening.
According to the community’s situation report from Tuesday morning, the authorities expect Acqua Alta by Friday. According to the forecast, the level could rise by up to 1.35 meters by Wednesday evening. The highest warning level would be reached at 1.40. The meteorologists expected further storms on Wednesday and Thursday.
On Tuesday morning, the water stood on St. Mark’s Square in the heart of Venice’s old town. On live images, walkways could be seen on which people could walk across the popular square with tourists.
The “Mose” flood protection system is intended to protect Venice from storm surges. It consists of 78 barriers that the city can raise at three entrances to the lagoon and has been in operation since autumn 2020. The billion dollar project is controversial. Corruption, bureaucracy, a lack of decisions, political and economic self-interest delayed construction for a long time.
Experts also believe it is possible that the system will have to be active all year round from 2075 if climate change and thus the rise in sea levels are not decisively slowed down. That would have a huge impact on the lagoon’s environment and economy. dpa
