The northern city of Vicenza has been
spared the worst effects of the current floods due to the
presence of retention basins, Veneto Governor Luca Zaia said on
Wednesday.
"We are experiencing a meteorological event with a strong impact
due to its characteristics, and which should be catalogued in
the history of the Veneto region as a major flooding event, but
Vicenza has been saved by the lamination basins," said Zaia
after recent heavy rainfall left several parts of the city under
water.
"We have removed three million cubic metres of water from
Vicenza. It is all water that we stop before it reaches the
basements of houses. This is the way to protect the country," he
added, referring to retention basis built to mitigate flooding
along the main waterways.
"We need another billion euro to complete the works. Let's say
we are testing them not with simulations, but with real water. I
am pleased. It is an answer to those who say the works should
not be done," he continued.
"Veneto is presenting itself as a national model: if it rains in
the wrong place we end up under water, but where we have
intervened (with mitigation measures, ed.) we are in the game.
We must invest in a Marshall Plan to finance hydraulic works. It
is not true that we must accept what nature brings us, if we
have damaged the territory with building, at least we can lower
the risk level with hydraulic works," concluded Zaia.
The governor also said the recent rainfall figures were
comparable to Storm) Vaia in 2018, and to the so-called great
flood of 2010. "Had the works not been in place we would be
facing another disaster," he continued.
During Storm Vaia 187 millimetres fell in the area in 24 hours,
compared to 188 millimetres on Tuesday.
One of the areas worst hit by the flooding is the neighbourhood
around the Romeo Menti stadium, where the playing field is
however reported to be unaffected.
Flooding has also led to the closure of the city ring road and
other thoroughfares and caused extensive disruptions to local
and intercity rail services.
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