Italy's administrative bureaucracy nominates two regions as crisis regions.
Since mid-week, Italy has been experiencing relentless rain, leading to widespread flooding in cities like Bologna, Modena, and Ravenna. Despite numerous rescue operations, the situation remains precarious. The central government has declared a state of emergency in two regions and has pointed fingers at local politics for alleged negligence.
The government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has allocated 20 million euros in immediate relief to the regions of Emilia-Romagna and Marche, affected by the heavy rains. Numerous roads are submerged, and over 2,500 individuals have been forced to evacuate their homes. Pivotal cities such as Bologna, Modena, Ravenna, and the renowned Adriatic coast resort, Rimini, have not been spared.
Currently, there's a tug-of-war between the central and regional governments of the flood-hit regions. Italy's right-wing civil protection minister, Nello Musumeci, has accused the left-leaning administrators of Emilia-Romagna of mismanaging the funds allocated for their area's safety. Musumeci lamented, "Something isn't right. It shouldn't always be like this with such devastating floods in Emilia-Romagna." The region saw 17 fatalities due to storms last year, with billions in damages.
Left-wing Administrators Deny Allegations
In response to the accusations, the left-leaning regional government of Emilia-Romagna disclosed that around 350 liters of rain per square meter fell in certain areas over 48 hours. Over 500 volunteers and hundreds of firefighters participated in the rescue operations.
Residents of Faenza have levied criticisms towards the authorities for supposedly failing to adequately prepare against recurring floods. One resident, who had just finished renovating their house, shared their disappointment with local media outlet Local Team, saying, "The water is over a meter deep in my house."
The left-wing administrators vehemently refuted the allegations as a politically motivated maneuver ahead of the November elections in Emilia-Romagna, a region known for its wealth and conventional left-wing support in Italy.
The Commission has released a statement expressing concern over the situation in the flood-hit regions, urging both central and regional governments to work collaboratively for effective disaster management. However, The Commission has also highlighted the need for each level of government to fulfill its respective responsibilities in ensuring the safety and well-being of the affected citizens.
