A state of calamity will be declared
for Emilia Romagna at next Tuesday's cabinet meeting on the
flooding emergency that has left nine people dead in the
northern region, Environment and Energy Security Minister
Gilberto Pichetto said on Thursday.
The government will also formalize initial emergency measures
announced on Wednesday, including a freeze on mortgages and tax
collection, the minister told Radio anch'io on Rai Radio 1.
On Tuesday and Wednesday Emilia Romagna was hit by a new wave of
torrential rainfall linked to the climate crisis, with up to 500
mm - half the average annual precipitation - falling in 36 hours
in some places and all the rivers in the region bursting their
banks.
Thousands of people had to be evacuated as floodwaters rose in
many built-up areas, and at least 4,000 people were left without
a home.
On Thursday 50,000 people were reported to be without
electricity.
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