Explorer

Nine Dead After Torrential Rains In Northern Italy Wreak Havoc, F1 Grand Prix Cancelled

Torrential rains in northern Italy have triggered a deluge in Emilia-Romagna. Formula One Grand Prix set for Sunday in Imola, has also been cancelled to relieve pressure on emergency services.

At least nine people have died and thousands evacuated from their homes in Italy's northern Emilia-Romagna region due to the torrential rains which triggered floods and landslides. Civil Protection Minister Nello Musumeci said on Wednesday, that some areas received half their average annual rainfall in just 36 hours, which has caused river banks to burst and submerged thousands of acres of farmland, reported Reuters. Formula One Grand Prix set for Sunday in Imola, has been cancelled to relieve pressure on emergency services and prevent motor race fans from coming to the inundated region.

"We are facing catastrophic events that have probably not been seen before," the president of the Emilia-Romagna region Stefano Bonaccini, Reuters reported. "Extraordinary amounts of rain have fallen on land no longer capable of absorbing them."

The local interior ministry representative of the Adriatic coastal city of Ravenna said some 14,000 people would have to be evacuated from the area as soon as possible. Authorities said flooding had hit 37 towns and communities and around 120 landslides had been registered, as per the news agency.

ALSO READ: US Court Allows Extradition Of Mumbai Terror Attack Accused Tahawwur Rana To India

A bridge near Bologna collapsed, some roads were undermined by floodwaters and many rail services were suspended. Civil Protection Minister Musumeci said he would ask the cabinet to unlock 20 million euros (USD 22 million) for the affected area when it meets on May 23 to consider relief measures.

In the city of Cesena, residents climbed on the rooftops and waited to be rescued by helicopter or boat, reported BBC. People are sheltering in gyms and schools across Emilia-Romagna and there is no electricity in the town.

This is the second time Emilia-Romagna has faced bad weather, in the beginning of May, two people died due to the torrential rain.

The rain is following severe drought which has made the soil almost incapable of facing to absorb water and worsening the impact of the floods. Minister Musumeci said between 200mm to 500mm of rain fell in some parts of the region in 1-1/2 days, compared with average annual rainfall of 1,000 mm. Further rain is expected in the region over the coming days.

View More
Advertisement
Advertisement
25°C
New Delhi
Rain: 100mm
Humidity: 97%
Wind: WNW 47km/h
See Today's Weather
powered by
Accu Weather
Advertisement

Top Headlines

J&K CM Omar Says People Found Their Voice Through Special Status Resolution; BJP Threatens To Run ‘Parallel Govt’
J&K CM Omar Says People Found Their Voice Through Special Status Resolution; BJP Threatens To Run ‘Parallel Govt’
Maharashtra Polls: PM Modi’s 'Ek Hai, Toh Safe Hai' Remark After Adityanath's 'Batenge, Katenge' Slogan — WATCH
WATCH: PM Modi’s 'Ek Hai, Toh Safe Hai' Remark After Adityanath's 'Batenge, Katenge' Slogan
IND vs SA 1st T20I Live Score: Miller & Klaasen Revive South Africa's Innings But India Still On Top
IND vs SA 1st T20I Live Score: Miller & Klaasen Revive South Africa's Innings But India Still On Top
J&K: Bodies Of 2 Village Defence Guards Recovered In Kishtwar, Protests Erupt As Search For Terrorists Underway
J&K: Bodies Of 2 Village Defence Guards Recovered In Kishtwar, Protests Erupt As Search For Terrorists Underway
Advertisement
ABP Premium

Videos

Marshals Remove BJP Legislators from J&K Assembly Amidst Growing TensionsAnchor Silences NC Spokesperson Over Article 370 and 35A Debate | ABP NewsJ&K Assembly: Dramatic Images Show BJP and Ruling Party MLAs in Heated ScuffleClash in J&K Assembly: Cameras Capture Khursheed Ahmad Sheikh’s Scuffle with BJP MLAs

Photo Gallery

Embed widget