Rome: Severe storms have resulted in widespread flooding across various parts of Italy, claiming the life of one woman whose car was trapped in a flooded underpass in the northeastern region of Friuli Venezia Giulia.
According to Anadolu Agency, the tragic incident involved an 83-year-old woman who drowned in Latisana, located in the province of Udine, when her car became submerged in the water-filled underpass. The northern and central regions of Italy reported significant flooding, with roads and underpasses inundated, rivers and streams overflowing, and emergency crews actively engaged in rescue and evacuation operations.
In Tuscany, the severe weather was marked by over 63,000 lightning strikes within a span of 12 hours, and the Grosseto area experienced 115 millimeters of rainfall. The regional Civil Protection system, along with firefighters, executed more than 200 operations, including rescues from flooded underpasses.
Lombardy faced its own challenges as 45 residents were evacuated following a substantial landslide in Val Masino, located in the province of Sondrio. Additionally, flooding impacted the Spedali Civili hospital in Brescia, where water entered the cardiac intensive care unit, necessitating the precautionary relocation of two patients.
In Milan, the Lambro River breached its banks overnight, causing temporary street flooding. Nearby, in Vimodrone, several cars were trapped in a flooded underpass, prompting a response from firefighters to assist those affected.
The storms also disrupted rail services in Friuli Venezia Giulia, with submerged underpasses in Latisana, San Giorgio di Nogaro, and Torviscosa, leading to delays of up to an hour and the deployment of replacement buses on certain routes.
In Liguria, the Lavagna River overflowed in several areas around Calvari near Genoa, while parts of Tuscany, Marche, and Piedmont reported flooding and fallen trees. An orange weather alert remains in effect for the regions of Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, and Marche, as an Atlantic low-pressure system continues to bring heavy rain and thunderstorms to central and northern Italy.
Authorities have raised warnings about the potential for further flooding, landslides, and rapid rises in smaller waterways in the areas impacted by the ongoing rainfall.