Rome [Italy], September 22: Italy declared a state of emergency on Saturday for two flood regions in the north of the country after days of heavy rain.
The right-wing government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also provided the regions - Emilia-Romagna and the Marche - with 20mn euros (about $22mn) in emergency aid.
Heavy rainfall has resulted in many roads being flooded in the two regions. In total, more than 2,500 people had to be evacuated from their homes. Several cities, including Bologna, Modena and Ravenna are affected, as is the seaside resort of Rimini on the Adriatic coast.
Meanwhile, there has been an angry exchange of words between Rome and the regional governments of the flooded areas. Nello Musumeci, the right-wing minister for Civil Protection, accused the social-democrat administration of Emilia-Romagna of not having used money already provided properly. (DPA)
Source: Qatar Tribune