Severe flooding has engulfed parts of north-central Italy, especially in the Emilia Romagna region, following days of relentless rainfall. Overflowing rivers have led to dangerous flood conditions, prompting the closure of several expressways by Italy’s state-run road operator. The intense weather has forced over 3,000 people to evacuate their homes as floodwaters inundate towns and cities.
The flooding, which intensified on Sunday, has already caused widespread damage. A person has been reported missing, believed to have been swept away by high waters near Pianora, just south of Bologna, according to the Ansa newswire. Authorities are continuing their search efforts as the situation unfolds.
Italy’s civil protection service has activated its operational committee to coordinate a swift response to the emergency. Fabio Ciciliano, the head of the civil protection service, confirmed in an interview with state television Rai that more than 3,000 residents in Emilia Romagna had been evacuated to safer areas.
Emilia Romagna, home to cities such as Modena, Ravenna, Parma, and Bologna, is grappling with its fourth extreme weather event in less than two years. In May 2023, devastating floods and landslides claimed the lives of at least 17 people in the region. The increasing frequency of extreme weather events has put Italy on alert, with the government introducing mandatory catastrophe insurance for small and medium-sized businesses to help mitigate the economic fallout.
Meanwhile, Hurricane Oscar looms near Cuba, with the US National Hurricane Centre reporting that the storm is expected to reach the island’s Guantanamo or Holguin regions soon. The Miami-based forecaster stated that Oscar was about 115 miles east-northeast of Guantanamo, packing winds of up to 80 mph.
As both Italy and Cuba brace for the impact of these natural disasters, efforts are underway to ensure public safety and minimize the damage caused by these powerful storms.
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