Po River Hits Record Low: Italy Faces Severe Drought

Italy's longest river, the Po, is at its lowest point this early in the year, sparking fears of a severe July drought in northern Italy's agricultural heartland. The river's flow has drastically reduced to below 300 cubic meters per second, a sharp contrast to the usual June average of approximately 1,500 cubic meters per second.

This critical low flow is allowing seawater to creep upstream, contaminating farmland that has been reclaimed from marshlands over centuries. Farmers are facing immense pressure as irrigation canals are shut off to prevent saltwater damage to crops like sunflowers. Federica Vidali, a local farmer, expressed deep concern over the limited water available for her fields.

While the Alpine lakes that feed the Po Valley remain about 60% full, the reduced snowmelt due to climate change impacts replenishment. Experts warn that water reserves could be depleted in less than three weeks if the current rate of water usage continues. This situation is more severe than the 2022 drought, which occurred later in the season.

Further downstream, at the river's mouth, seawater has advanced approximately 20 kilometers inland. Barriers installed to halt saltwater intrusion are proving ineffective due to the Po's weak current. Rodolfo Laurenti, an engineer overseeing irrigation in the delta, highlighted the need for inter-regional cooperation to manage water resources during this crisis.

Clam fishermen in the lagoons are also struggling with the extreme June heat. Elevated water temperatures have fueled algae growth, which fouls shellfish and nets. Paolo Mancin, head of a local fishermen's cooperative, described the prolonged heat as causing "really big problems" for their livelihood, citing high mortality rates among clams.