A historic flood, unprecedented in the last 100 years, has struck the Emilia Romagna region in Northern Italy, resulting in dozens of deaths and causing billions of dollars in damages.
The unprecedented flood in Northern Italy forced Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to leave the G7 summit in Hiroshima early to return and oversee rescue operations. (Photo: Reuters).
“Honestly, I cannot be away from Italy at such a complex time,” Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told reporters on May 20, expressing her gratitude to the 5,000 people—from rescue workers to volunteers—mobilized to assist those affected by the floods. (Photo: Reuters).
On May 21, Prime Minister Meloni’s plane landed in Rimini. The Italian leader visited the Emilia Romagna region, where the floods have claimed 14 lives and caused billions in damages. (Photo: Reuters).
The historic flood forced 36,000 people in the affected areas to evacuate. Those still trapped in the flood zone are facing power outages. The region, known for its diverse fruit cultivation including peaches, kiwis, and apricots, has suffered severe economic losses. (Photo: Reuters).
On May 21, as the rain subsided, rescue teams and local volunteers began pumping water out of buildings and clearing mud from streets before it hardened under the sun. (Photo: Reuters).
On May 20, Bologna’s mayor, Matteo Lepore, stated that it would take “months, if not years” to repair roads and infrastructure in some areas. (Photo: Reuters).
The flooding in Emilia Romagna was triggered by record rainfall on May 17. The floods inundated numerous roads, cities, and towns throughout the region. (Photo: Reuters).
The Italian government will hold a cabinet meeting on May 23 to decide on measures to support residents in the affected areas as they navigate the current emergency situation. (Photo: Reuters).
