Regions to request drought state of emergency

(ANSA) - ROME, JUN 21 - Italy's regions are to ask the government to declare a state of emergency for drought in the north of the country and to get the help of the civil protection department nationwide, governors said at the conference of regions Tuesday.
    The level of the river Po is three quarters down as the valley endures its worst drought in 70 years.
    Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto and Emilia-Romagna have all said they want a state of emergency declared.
    Water levels in the Arno, Aniene and Tiber further south have halved and Lazio has called for a state of calamity for drought.
    The governors will meet with government represnetatives later Tuesday and with the head of the civil protection department, Fabrizio Curcio, on Wednesday. (ANSA).