At least five people have been killed in Italy’s Forlì-Cesena province after flooding caused by torrential rains hit the Emilia-Romagna region of central-northern Italy, official sources said.
Rescue teams are still searching for a missing person in Ravenna province.
Civil Protection Minister Nello Musumeci said at least 5,000 people had been evacuated so far.
“But it could also be more,” he stressed in an interview with Italian radio station Radio24, adding that “everything that needed to be done has already been done.”
On Tuesday evening, Emilia-Romagna governor Stefano Bonaccini said that “reality has surpassed the worst predictions”.
“Reality is very dramatic in different parts of Emilia-Romagna,” he stressed.
The strong storm is keeping the Emilia-Romagna region (central-northern Italy) on red alert and has already led to train disruptions on some lines, the suspension of classes and the displacement of hundreds of people due to the high risk of flooding.
Overnight, another 14 rivers in the province burst their banks, leading to further flooding and damage.
Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi is expected to visit the affected areas throughout the day and the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister said the government will do everything it can to help the affected population.
The storm is not expected to abate in the coming days and the red alert will continue for much of Emilia-Romagna, where rain is expected until Saturday.
Source: DN
