Drought threatens irrigation in northern Italy

Water reserves are being depleted rapidly in northern Italy, with farming under threat, as the region's main river dries up, local officials warned on Friday.

The Po River District Basin Authority (ADBPO) said the situation was "extremely critical" and available stocks in the river basin would be exhausted in 10 days at the current rate of irrigation and if there was no rainfall.

As a result of the reduced flow rate in the Po river delta, salt water from the Adriatic Sea is pushing 20 to 25 kilometres (12.5 to 15.5 miles) upstream, partly preventing the irrigation of fields.

The authority also said that the ecosystem could be affected.

The Veneto region in northeast Italy, where the Po flows into the Adriatic, declared a state of emergency at the beginning of this month due to the drought.

In the northwestern region of Piedmont, where the Po has its source, an emergency meeting has been called for Monday next week.

A decision may be taken to increase water releases "in order to maintain the flow in the Po", the ADBPO said.

Piedmont, which borders France, has been one of the worst-affected regions in Italy by the heatwaves that have hit Europe.

Water levels in major lakes in the region have fallen. Lake Maggiore's fill rate dropped by 17 percent or 33 centimetres (13 inches) in the space of a week.

Agence France - Presse