Farmers fear drought as Italy's longest river runs dry
Seawater is seeping into Italy’s longest river as the waterway starts to run dry in the heatwave, hitting a farming heartland that produces the milk for…
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Summary
Seawater is seeping into Italy’s longest river as the waterway starts to run dry in the heatwave, hitting a farming heartland that produces the milk for Parmesan cheese. The Po River's flow has collapsed in a matter of days, dropping below 300 cubic meters per second, compared with an average of around 1,500 in June, according to Aipo, the interregional river agency. "We're not in a drought situation yet, but at this rate, there's less than three weeks of water left in reserve," said Damiano Di Simine, an expert with environmental group Legambiente.
Furthermore, "We'd need almost double the current flow for them to work," said Rodolfo Laurenti, the engineer in charge of irrigation in the delta. Workers harvesting clams clear the cultivation area of seaweed in the Po River Delta at Scardovari, Italy, northeast Italy, on June 26, 2026. — AFP They must also clear algae from the nets protecting clams from invasive blue crabs, which arrived from North America in recent years. “On top of all the problems we already have, we now have this crazy, long, and unexpected heat,” said Paolo Mancin, head of the local fishermen’s cooperative, standing in water at 31℃. “Macroalgae are forming, there’s a high mortality rate among clams … "It has never dropped so fast, so early," said Stefano Calderoni of the Italian irrigation association (Anbi).
In addition, Drought last struck the Po Valley in 2022 — but only at the end of July. ‘Really big problems’ Further downstream, at the river’s mouth, the situation is already serious: seawater has pushed about 20 kilometres upstream. The many Alpine lakes that feed the Po Valley, Italy's agro-industrial heartland, are still about 60 percent full.
Cross-referenced from 3 sources.
Factual coreconfirmed by several independent voices
Seawater is seeping into Italy’s longest river as the waterway starts to run dry in the heatwave, hitting a farming heartland that produces the milk for Parmesan cheese.
reliability low1/2 sourcesThe Po River's flow has collapsed in a matter of days, dropping below 300 cubic meters per second, compared with an average of around 1,500 in June, according to Aipo, the interregional river agency.
reliability low1/2 sources"We're not in a drought situation yet, but at this rate, there's less than three weeks of water left in reserve," said Damiano Di Simine, an expert with environmental group Legambiente.
reliability low1/2 sources"We'd need almost double the current flow for them to work," said Rodolfo Laurenti, the engineer in charge of irrigation in the delta.
reliability low1/2 sourcesWorkers harvesting clams clear the cultivation area of seaweed in the Po River Delta at Scardovari, Italy, northeast Italy, on June 26, 2026. — AFP They must also clear algae from the nets protecting clams from invasive blue crabs, which arrived from North America in recent years. “On top of all the problems we already have, we now have this crazy, long, and unexpected heat,” said Paolo Mancin, head of the local fishermen’s cooperative, standing in water at 31℃. “Macroalgae are forming, there’s a high mortality rate among clams …
reliability low1/2 sources"It has never dropped so fast, so early," said Stefano Calderoni of the Italian irrigation association (Anbi).
reliability low1/2 sourcesDrought last struck the Po Valley in 2022 — but only at the end of July. ‘Really big problems’ Further downstream, at the river’s mouth, the situation is already serious: seawater has pushed about 20 kilometres upstream.
reliability low1/2 sourcesThe many Alpine lakes that feed the Po Valley, Italy's agro-industrial heartland, are still about 60 percent full.
reliability low1/2 sources
Reported detailssecondary facts, each attributed to its source
AFP | Stefano RELLANDINI It rained this winter, but the mountain snow that used to replenish the lake has already melted due to climate change.
according to eNCAAFP | Stefano RELLANDINI A few kilometres closer to the sea, clam fishermen are also struggling with soaring June temperatures.
according to eNCA
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Seawater is seeping into Italy’s longest river as the waterway starts to run dry in the heatwave, hitting a farming heartland that produces…
omitted byRight sidecovered byLeft sideCenterThe Po River's flow has collapsed in a matter of days, dropping below 300 cubic meters per second, compared with an average of around 1,500…
omitted byRight sidecovered byLeft sideCenterDrought last struck the Po Valley in 2022 — but only at the end of July. ‘Really big problems’ Further downstream, at the river’s mouth,…
omitted byRight sidecovered byLeft sideCenter"We're not in a drought situation yet, but at this rate, there's less than three weeks of water left in reserve," said Damiano Di Simine,…
omitted byRight sidecovered byLeft sideCenter"We'd need almost double the current flow for them to work," said Rodolfo Laurenti, the engineer in charge of irrigation in the delta.
omitted byRight sidecovered byLeft sideCenter