Italy Declares A State Of Emergency In Venice on Thursday as more than 85% of the city, a Unesco world heritage site,was under water when tides were at their highest. The city’s mayor blamed climate change for flooding.
Churches, shops and homes were engulfed by 1.87m (6ft) high water levels, causing damage of millions of euros and cutting power to homes.
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said the Cabinet had approved the state of emergency and ordered the immediate release of €20 million in funds for “the most urgent interventions.”
Conte, who has called the flooding “a blow to the heart of our country”, met Venice’s mayor and emergency services before jumping in a speed boat to visit businesses and locals affected by the tide.
Residents whose houses had been hit would immediately get up to €5,000 in government aid, while restaurant and shop owners could receive up to €20,000 and apply for more later, he said.
As authorities assessed the extent of the damage to Venice’s cultural treasures, such as St Mark’s Basilica where water invaded the crypt, locals were defiant.
Many stopped for their habitual coffees at flooded bars, drinking their espresso while standing in several inches of water.
Despite the emergency, tourists larked around in the flooded St Mark’s Square in the sunshine, snapping selfies in their neon plastic boots and taking advantage of a respite in bad weather.
Many stopped for their habitual coffees at flooded bars, drinking their espresso while standing in several inches of water.
Austrian tourist Cornelia Litschauer, 28, said “It’s strange. Tourists are taking pictures but the city is suffering.”
Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said the damage is estimated at “hundreds of millions of euros” and he called for a speedy completion of a long-delayed project to construct off-shore barriers.
>Juthy Saha
State of Emergency over Flood in Venice
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