Italy's Civil Protection Stretched Thin by Wildfires and Storms

Italy's civil protection agency is facing a relentless operational challenge as severe thunderstorms batter the north, just weeks after the country grappled with widespread wildfires. Since Thursday, the northern regions have been hit by heavy rainfall and violent storms, with the low-pressure system slowly moving towards Slovenia and Croatia.

In Liguria, the Rupinaro River in Chiavari breached its banks, inundating the area. This extreme weather follows a summer marked by devastating wildfires, particularly in the northeastern region of Friaul-Julisch Venetien, a popular destination for Austrian tourists. Weeks of heatwaves and drought had fueled dozens of fires, overwhelming the capacity of firefighters and resources.

Efforts to contain the blazes, even with support from Slovenia and Austria, were often insufficient. The Italian fire brigade struggled to bring many fires under control, especially along the highway between Udine and the Austrian border near Tarvis. The dual impact of extreme weather events underscores the growing challenges posed by climate change.