The Permanent Observatory on Water Use of the Po River Hydrographic District has confirmed that water conditions remain at a “high severity” level, with authorities warning that the ongoing heat wave is placing additional pressure on already depleted supplies.
“Persistent high temperatures are stressing the last remaining water reserves, namely the large pre-Alpine lakes,” Alessandro Delpiano, secretary-general of the River Basin Authority, said.
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“The emergency continues, and there is no end in sight,” he added.
The Po is Italy’s longest river and supports major agricultural and industrial areas across northern Italy. Its current flow has fallen below seasonal low-water levels, raising concerns about the availability of water for farms, industry and other users.
Thunderstorms expected in the coming days could provide temporary relief, but authorities do not expect them to produce a significant or lasting improvement in water availability.
The drought is also affecting the major lakes that feed the Po River system. Water levels in the large pre-Alpine lakes have been declining since the second week of June, with Lake Maggiore among the hardest hit.
Lake Como and Lake Iseo are also facing critical conditions, while Lake Iseo has reached levels associated with “extreme drought.”
The situation could remain difficult as Italy’s heat wave is forecast to continue for around another 10 days.
Meteorologist Lorenzo Tedici of iLMeteo.it said a powerful high-pressure system remains dominant over the country. The accumulated heat could nevertheless trigger intense thunderstorms, particularly in northern Italy.
Such storms could briefly lower temperatures from around 39-40C (102-104F) to roughly 35-36C, offering some short-term relief from the extreme heat.
However, meteorologists expect the African anticyclone to return after the temporary break, bringing another period of hot and sunny weather across much of Italy in mid-August.
For the Po River basin, that could mean continued pressure on water supplies at a time when authorities are already warning that the drought emergency has no clear end in sight.
