Severe flooding and mudslides have claimed the lives of at least five people in the northern Italian region of Emilia Romagna. The region has been struggling with a prolonged drought but is now under a red alert, the highest level warning for life-threatening weather events, due to heavy rainfall. More than 5,000 people have been forced to evacuate, and the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, due to take place this weekend, has been cancelled. The site has also been evacuated.
As many as 14 rivers have burst their banks, leading to dramatic rescues in cities such as Cesena, where people were forced to climb onto the roofs of their buildings to escape the incoming water. Firefighters used helicopters and rubber dinghies to rescue them. A total of 600 firefighters have been deployed from across Italy to assist with evacuations after the country’s longest river, the Po, broke its banks.
Residents in several areas across the region have been asked not to leave their homes. Ravenna, one of the worst affected areas, has seen 5,000 people evacuated overnight. “Ravenna is unrecognisable for the damage it has suffered,” said Mayor Michele de Pascale.
In neighbouring Le Marche, which has also suffered severe flooding, 200 firefighters have been mobilised for rescue efforts. The flooding comes after months of drought, which has reduced the capacity of the land to absorb water, according to meteorologists.
The cancellation of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix has been announced by Formula 1, citing safety concerns due to the heavy flooding. The race is the first event of the season to be held in Europe.