Dead and thousands evacuated in northern Italy due to flooding | Abroad

Wednesday 17th May 2023 - https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/two-dead-and-thousands-evacuated-floods-hit-northern-italy-3494636

With videoIn the north of Italy, heavy rainfall has led to major flooding. Thousands of people have been evacuated, including in the regions of Emilia-Romagna and Marche, where, according to the newspaper Corriere di Bologna a total of about 6,000 people had to leave their homes. At least three people have been killed.

The mayor of the city of Cesena, Enzo Lattuca, said in a video Wednesday morning that the continued heavy rain in the Emilia-Romagna region could bring new flooding of the Savio River. “The situation could become critical again,” said the mayor. He urged residents to go to the higher floors of their homes and avoid the banks of the river. He also announced that some roads and bridges would be damaged by the flooding. be closed.

Italian minister Nello Musemeci confirmed that three people died from the floods. In nearby Forli, the body of an elderly man has been found on the banks of the Montone River. The man had been dragged from his flooded home by the water. His wife managed to get up in time and was rescued by rescuers. In Ronta di Cesena another man was killed. His body was found by firefighters. His wife is still missing.

Roads under water
In the city of Cesena, people have to be rescued from roofs because the streets have been completely flooded, the same applies to Faenza, located slightly more south, said Corriere di Bologna. Along the Adriatic coast, authorities have closed access to beaches due to strong gusts of wind and high waves. The emergency department of the hospital in Senigallia near Ancona, the capital of the Marche region, had to be evacuated due to flooding. Rescue operations are hampered because many roads are flooded.

The Imola Formula 1 circuit is also feeling the effects of the high water. The teams’ staff had to leave the circuit yesterday as a precaution after the water of the nearby river Santerno rose rapidly. Local media reports that roads in the vicinity of the circuit have been closed. Parking garages are also said to have been flooded with water.

A Red Cross aid worker helps a man to evacuate. ANP/EPA
It has been raining for days in the Emilia-Romagna region and it is expected to continue until Wednesday. Landslides have been caused by the flowing water in the Apennines. Several rivers have overflowed their banks. In Cesena there are areas where the electricity has gone out and according to the mayor there is a lot of damage. But the focus is still on getting people to safety. There are many rescue workers in the area to evacuate people.

Schools in the affected areas will remain closed on Wednesday. Many trains in the region are not running for the time being.