What the weather emergency means for vacationers

Italy is suffering from the consequences of climate change: high temperatures prevail, forest fires are increasing. In addition, a glacier collapsed in the northern Italian Dolomites on Sunday. According to the current status, nine people died.

On Monday, the Italian government declared a state of emergency for several regions.
In some places drinking water is only accessible to a limited extent, wells are partially turned off. Large lakes, which are also popular tourist destinations, are particularly affected by the drought.
The extreme conditions hit the north of the country just in time for the holiday season. And the number of holiday travelers after the pandemic years is high.

Are you affected by the drought emergency regulations if you are now planning your holidays in Italy? What is to be considered? The most important thing about the drought and the state of emergency in Italy at a glance.

Drought in Italy: In which regions does the state of emergency apply?

The drought emergency applies until December 31 in five regions of the country: Emilia-Romagna, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lombardy, Piedmont and Veneto. These areas are in northern Italy.

The government in Rome has asked half a dozen regions to declare a state of emergency. They are intended to enable further aid and civil protection operations.
Large lakes, such as the popular Lake Garda, have a significantly lower water level than usual at this time of year. The longest river in Italy, the Po, has recorded the lowest level in 70 years. In some places it is just a trickle, satellite images show exposed sandbanks. As a result, kilometers of saltwater penetrated the riverbed at the mouth of the sea. Attilio Fontana, Regional President of Lombardy, said: “We have never experienced a crisis like this.” Isolated thunderstorms that fell over parts of northern Italy in the past few evenings did not improve.

Weather emergency in Italy: what rules apply?

Access to drinking water is already restricted in some northern Italian cities. In Verona, citizens are only allowed to use drinking water during the day for cooking, drinking, cleaning and personal hygiene. This is valid until August 31st. From 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. it is forbidden to water gardens and sports fields, wash cars and fill up swimming pools and pools. Violations can result in fines of up to 500 euros. The city’s decision was made before the state government declared a drought emergency.
The cities of Venice and Milan are shutting down some of their fountains. In the Tuscan city of Pisa in central Italy, drinking water will only be used in the home from July 11th. Citizens should refrain from activities that are not urgent and consume a lot of water. In the municipality of Castenaso (Region Emilia-Romagna), guests in hairdressing salons can only wash their hair once to save water. Meanwhile, Lombardy was already asking for water in Switzerland.

Are there any restrictions when entering Italy?

No, the government in Rome recorded almost four times as many flight bookings from abroad in June compared to the previous year. The number of passengers from Germany has doubled.
The entry restrictions for Italy caused by Covid-19 have also been lifted. According to information from the Federal Foreign Office, you need neither proof of corona nor prior entry registration to enter Germany.

More on the subject of holidays and the holiday season:

Who is affected as a vacationer by the drought emergency?

“Water rationing is not what you imagine when you want to go on vacation,” said Wolfgang Günther from the Kiel Institute for Tourism in the Handelsblatt. This does not lead to a relaxed mood. Travelers have to be careful not to overestimate themselves and get heat strokes. Hosts have a responsibility to their guests, need to care for them and provide appropriate service.
The water level of Lake Garda is currently about half a meter lower than a year ago, said Pierlucio Ceresa from the Association of Municipalities on Lake Garda of the German Press Agency. However, this has no effect on swimming in the lake. However, Ceresa warned to check the water depth, for example if you jump into the lake from rocks.
The current discussion is about pumping water out of Lake Garda and into the Po River. The community association opposed this.
Holiday travelers should also refrain from lighting open fires because of the increased risk of fire.

Should you book a vacation to Italy now?

It’s nothing new that vacations in Italy get hot, says Wolfgang Günther. “For example, if you drive a mobile home, you are mobile and can switch to the higher elevations where it is not so hot.” Once permanent accommodation has been booked, it is the host’s job to provide a nice holiday with good service – adapted to the current circumstances. There are also drinking water points in every small town, Günther adds.

How will drought affect tourism in the long term?

A study by the Universities of Turin, Pisa and Rennes has analyzed the impact of climate change on future droughts in northern Italy. Accordingly, an increase in temperatures can be expected for the Alpine region by 2050, reports the magazine “National Geographic”. By the end of the century, glaciers would melt by up to 90 percent. As a result, water flows less consistently towards Italy than before. Droughts could become more intense and spread to additional areas.
Experts also suspect the consequences of climate change to be behind the glacier break-off in the Dolomites. This year, temperatures in the area were higher than usual, which is why the ice started to melt earlier. There was also a lack of precipitation in winter and spring, from which the glacier could have fed. The ice in the mountains of Italy has been receding for years.

Mountain connoisseurs recommend hikers to plan their routes thoroughly and to obtain information. Tourist offers would have to be adapted, guests taken care of and an appropriate infrastructure prepared, says Günther from the Kiel Institute for Tourism. “Droughts and hot spells are becoming more common, but this is not necessarily an obstacle to lucrative local vacations. The hosts have the task of making the holiday as pleasant as possible, that is also an opportunity.”
With agency material.
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