Over 20 rivers in Italy have overflowed their banks, causing about 13 destructive occurrences. This has left thousands of residents stranded and displaced owing to the heavy rains which fell in over a space of less than two days.
On Thursday, the 18th of May, 2023, a few lifeless bodies were seen. This followed the intense flooding of almost every river between Bologna city and the north-east coast, measuring about 70 miles away.
According to BBC, in the midst of the unexpected damages caused, there had been the occurrences of about 280 landslides, which had also worsened the state of events there.
Michele de Pascale, the mayor of Ravenna, was cited to have said that, this was the city’s worst disaster in over a hundred years.
In his view, the destruction caused was very catastrophic. He indicated that, most people living in the Ravenna city and its environs had lost their homes to the flood, including other personal properties. In other instances too, they had lost family members.
A 71-year-old woman, Roberta Lazzarini, also resident in the flooded area testified saying, “It was an extremely bad 48-hour period of heavy rains. Water and mud engulfed our entire village."
Lazzarini’s hometown, Botteghino di Zocca, not far from Bologna, was hit hard by the deluge on, Wednesday. The scenes that unfolded got her scared. Roads in the town, several homes and yards meant for other purposes were gutted in ditch so much so that, they appeared inconspicuous.
“I’ve never witnessed any such thing here. We were completely caught up in the event and didn’t know what else to do. I pray it wouldn't happen again,” Lazzarini added.
As part of the rescue efforts of firefighters, they succeeded in rescuing residents from their homes. A 97-year-old woman was also rescued.
Lazzarini’s daughter, Ines, who manages a cafe joint in the town’s central square had said, "our community is broken. At some point, we felt entirely cut out and sidelined. Some of us were truly horrified.”
As rescue efforts continued on Thursday, May 18, 2023, to the west of Ravenna, more bodies were found, including a couple, who were located in a completely flooded apartment in the town of Russi.
As a way of showing concern, many are calling on the Italian government to create a nationwide strategy to help check the rising effects of climate change.
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