ROME- The Italian government has declared a state of emergency in the northern provinces of Piacenza and Parma, in the Emilia-Romagna region, due to a drought that threatens the supply of drinking water available to the population. The capital also faces its worst drought in recent years, with Mayor Virginia Raggi issuing a decree to regulate water use in an attempt to limit waste.

 As a result of the crisis in Emilia-Romagna, the government has issued 8.65 million euros in order to help secure a steady supply of water to those at breaking point.

 The whole country has been affected by the drought, with Sardinia requesting to be placed in an official state of natural disaster and the region of Piemonte also facing grave danger due to a 65 percent decrease in rainfall compared to average levels recorded in recent years.

 Consequently, extreme measures are being enforced in order to limit the amount of water wasted across the country. The Mayor of Bassano del Grappa, in the drought-stricken region of Vicenza, has signed a decree banning the use of drinking water on gardens, filling up private swimming pools, or cleaning outside spaces.

 The drought has been caused due to an aggravated water shortage, brought on by unusually low rainfall since autumn of last year, meteorologists say. This factor, coupled with the waves of tourists that sweep the nation during the summer months, has put a strain on the water supply, which then has a damaging effect on agricultural production.

 Rome is not exempt from the crisis, with Virginia Raggi following in the footsteps of other mayors by issuing an order instructing residents to limit water waste.

 “The amount of rainfall, or rather the average in six months is 300 millimetres  and with 50 rainy days,” explains Franca Mangiati, the director at the Roman College Observatory.

 “Practically, in 2017, a third of the rain has fallen that normally falls in Rome. A case of this kind, with six consecutive months of a scarcity of rain, is not remembered in Rome,” he added.

 The consequence of this drought may have a dire effect on the nation, with agricultural production to be hit the hardest.

 “We must save best the agricultural sectors of the regions hit by this drought this week,” said Maurizio Martina, Minister for Agricultural and Forestry Affairs.

 “It’s about a few areas that are most important for production levels of our agriculture. As a ministry, we a monitoring the situation closely in direct communication with the Environment Ministry,” he added.