Worst Drought in 70 Years Threatens Italy’s Food and Power

Ezekiel 33:6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.

Italy Declares State of Emergency on Impact From Drought. Hydroelectric reservoir levels are at historic lows and towns are bracing for shortages of drinking water.

Italy declared a state of emergency in five northern and central regions devastated by a recent drought, as a severe heat wave takes its toll on agriculture and threatens power supplies.

High temperatures and exceptionally dry conditions have brought water levels in the Po, the country’s largest river, to their lowest in 70 years.

Months without rain and an earlier than usual halt inflows from melting snow in the Alps have made large swaths of the river bed visible.

Hydroelectric power, which usually supplies 15% of the country’s needs, is down 50% so far this year, threatening farming and drinking water supplies.

Northern Italian towns are already rationing water. Extreme heat and exceptionally dry conditions have hurt corn and sunflower production and forced rice farmers to cut plantings.

Wheat is in decline for more than the last 5 years. The extreme conditions have led to an estimated 30% decline in seasonal harvests, including barley, grain, and rice in the region.

Northern Italian towns are rationing water and supplying it in trucks as they face a potential drinking-water shortage.