Heatwave Suffocates Italian Cities Amidst Wildfire Emergency

Italy is grappling with a severe heatwave, the third this summer, driven by an African anticyclone expected to last until at least July 22. This extreme weather exacerbates a critical wildfire situation, especially in Piedmont and Sardinia. In Piedmont, wildfires have ravaged 700,000 trees, an ecological catastrophe that will require 2 to 5 years for plant life to return and 50 to 70 years for forest ecosystems to recover their original structure.

Sardinia also experienced a difficult day with at least seven fires. The Olbia airport was temporarily closed due to flames, diverting flights to Cagliari and Alghero until its reopening. Temperatures are forecast to peak mid-next week, with highs of 43 degrees Celsius in Sardinia and 40 degrees in the Po Valley, significantly exceeding historical averages. The unusually warm sea surface temperatures, around 28-29 degrees Celsius, are also a cause for concern, storing energy that could fuel extreme weather events.

Severe thunderstorms are anticipated across northern Italy and the Marche region, bringing strong winds, hail, and lightning. While some areas of Lombardy are under orange alert, yellow alerts are in place for much of northern Italy and Marche due to storm risks. The Po River Basin faces a critical water shortage, with current reserves only sufficient for irrigation for another ten days.

The extreme heat and drought are devastating Italy's agricultural sector. Rice production is at risk, with potential harvest drops of up to 30%, mirroring the situation in 2022. Pastures are also suffering, leading to double-digit declines in fodder production. Livestock are affected, with a reported drop in milk production.

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In Piemonte sono 700mila gli alberi finora perduti in ampie zone del territorio in quella che la Regione definisce "una vera e propria catastrofe ecologica".