Flooding in Venice

The Italian city Venice, a UNESCO world heritage site was engulfed in by 1.87m (6 feet) high water levels flooding its historic basilica and cutting power to homes.

Italy’s prime minister  Giuseppe Conte described the flooding as  “ a blow to the heart of our country. It hurts to see the city so damaged its artistic heritage compromised  its commercial activities on it knees.”

The venetians were woken up by the sirens indicating that the tide would remain high in the coming days although it was not expected to exceed 130cm (50 in) above average sea level according to the Venetian authorities.

The Mayor of Venice Luigi Brugnaro, blamed climate change for the highest water levels in more than 50 years this week, saying the impact was huge and would leave a permanent mark. ST Mark’s Square one of the lowest parts of the city was one of the worst hit areas.

The City of Venice is made up of more than 100 islands inside a lagoon off the north-east coast of Italy.

On the island of Pellestrina, two people died as a result of the flooding on a thin strip of land that separates the lagoon from the Adriatic Sea, as a resident was electrocuted as he tried to start a pump in his home and a second person was found dead elsewhere on the island.