Tourists in Venice are floundering through water up to their waists as the notoriously flood-prone city faces its worst floods in a decade.
City officials estimate that up to 75% of Venice is flooded after a big storm surge, the BBC reported. Water levels are said to have exceeded anything since December 2008, and accompanying storms have killed at least nine people in Rome, Terracina and Naples.
St Mark’s Square in Venice closed after about 1.5 metres of water swept in. Walkways were reported submerged and the city’s water bus system was operating only to surrounding islands.
Venice often floods when high winds push in water from the lagoon. Additionally, sea levels around Venice have been rising because of climate change, incoming silt and methane gas drilling in the sea. An abnormally high tide was another factor. There are fears Venice could be largely underwater for much of the year by 2100.
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In Rome, city authorities closed major tourist attractions early, including the Colosseum and Roman Forum, because of heavy rains.
Written by Peter Needham
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