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Niscemi Abyss: Homes Vanish as Landslide Devours Sicilian Town
9 Feb
Summary
- A 25-meter abyss formed, swallowing roads and homes after heavy rains.
- Over 1,600 residents evacuated as historic buildings face collapse.
- Experts cite climate emergency and flawed urban planning as causes.
The Sicilian town of Niscemi is grappling with a 25-meter abyss created by a devastating landslide on January 25th, following torrential rains from Cyclone Harry. This event has caused roads to collapse and numerous homes to be swallowed by the chasm, forcing the evacuation of over 1,600 residents.
Many houses now hang precariously over the edge, with even historic structures at risk of sliding into the valley. Geologists and environmental experts attribute this disaster to the climate emergency and a history of flawed building policies and unchecked urbanization in the Mediterranean.
The public prosecutor's office in Gela has initiated an investigation into negligent disaster. This incident in Niscemi reflects a broader issue in Italy, where significant development has occurred in hydrogeologically vulnerable areas, often ignoring environmental risks and leading to devastating consequences.
Extreme weather events, supercharged by a warming climate, are becoming more frequent and intense. Cyclone Harry alone caused an estimated €2 billion in losses across Sicily, highlighting the growing threat posed by climate change to coastal and vulnerable regions.
