3/ 4th Venice under floodwater, 6 dead in Italian storm
Tourists wade through streets after water rose to highest level since Dec. 2008
Rome, Oct. 30: High winds and heavy rain left six people dead across Italy even as three- quarters of Venice came under floodwater.
Tourists had to wade through the streets after water rose by more than five feet ( 156cm) to the highest level since December 2008.
The situation was so bad that it prompted officials to shut down the lagoon city’s water bus system and remove the raised walkways normally put out in flooded areas.
On social media, videos showed shop owners using water pumps to protect their goods and people standing knee deep in water at places like St Mark’s Square and near the Rialto bridge.
In a restaurant, waiters wore waterproof boots to serve customers.
Luca Zaia, the regional governor, warned that flooding could reach the levels of the disaster that struck the city in 1966.
Venice experiences high water levels several times a year. However, attempts to relieve the problem were beset by delays, cost overruns scandals.
The Moses project, started in 2003 and involving building series of underwater and corruption barriers in the lagoon, is yet to be completed. Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said he had asked to talk with prime minister Giuseppe Conte to underline the urgency of the scheme.
Officials were forced to close major tourist attractions in Rome, including the Colosseum and Roman Forum, as well as the ancient Roman city of Pompeii due to the storm.
Two young people died south of Rome when a tree hit their car while another was killed when high winds toppled slender pine trees in the town of Terracina.
Much of the country is under alert for flooding and the interior ministry urged officials in the affected regions to consider closing schools and offices again on Tuesday.