22 February, 2023: Canals in Venice are running dry. Read to know more.
The city of Venice has been known for it's unparalleled beauty, with its unique location and stunning architecture. The city is built on a group of islands in a lagoon, with an intricate network of canals winding through the historic buildings.
The canals of Venice are a major tourist attraction and a defining feature of the city. The intricate network of canals, bridges, and waterways that crisscross the city offer a unique perspective on the beautiful architecture and historic landmarks of Venice. The canals are also a vital part of the city's transportation infrastructure, with water buses and water taxis providing a convenient way to travel around the city.
The canals of Venice are a symbol of the city's history and culture, and they continue to attract millions of visitors each year.
Venice reported roughly 4.78 million inbound arrivals in the year before the COVID-19 pandemic began, as per Statista.
But right now the canals of Venice are an eye sour for tourists. As the Alps have only gotten less than half of their typical snowfall, scientists and environmental organizations are worried that Italy may experience another drought after the crises of last summer.
Venice is experiencing exceptionally low tides that are making it difficult for gondolas, water taxis, and ambulances to travel through parts of its iconic canals. Flooding is often Venice's main worry.
A few factors like rainfall shortage and the occurrence of full moon and currents of the sea are being held responsible for the situation in Venice:
The Legambiente environmental organization stated that there is a major water shortage in Italy, with a particular emphasis on the north of the nation.
It noted in a statement that the Po, Italy's longest river that flows from the Alps in the northwest to the Adriatic Sea, has 61% less water than usual at this time of year.
Italy declared a state of emergency in July for the Po region, which is responsible for almost a third of the nation's agricultural output and saw a severe and probably the worst drought in 70 years.
Massimiliano Pasqui, a climate expert from Italian scientific research institute CNR said "We are in a water deficit situation that has been building up since the winter of 2020-2021."
Northern Italy's Lake Garda has experienced record-low water levels, making it feasible to walk across an open pathway to the tiny island of San Biagio. Yet, according to the most recent weather predictions, the Alps will receive vital rainfall and snowfall in the following days.
