Severe weather conditions have continued to wreak havoc across Italy just days before Easter. On Thursday, the northwestern regions experienced strong winds, heavy rain, and hail, resulting in widespread flooding and significant damage, particularly to infrastructure. The transport sector has borne the brunt of the storm, with major disruptions to traffic and some areas becoming inaccessible due to road and motorway closures.
By early Friday, the storm had advanced towards the northeastern and central parts of the country, affecting areas such as Piedmont, Lombardy, and Veneto. The Civil Protection Department has issued a red alert for April 18 in Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna due to rising water levels in the River Po. An orange alert is also in place for two other areas in Lombardy, while a yellow alert has been announced across eight regions.
In the Vicenza area, the severe weather has claimed two lives. The bodies of two men, Leone Nardon, 65, and his son Francesco, 34, were discovered in the Trissino flood basin after their car was engulfed by a sinkhole in Valdagno. They were reportedly on their way to assist with emergency response efforts when they went missing. Firefighters recovered the bodies following an overnight search.
In the Turin area, another tragic incident occurred as a 92-year-old retired carpenter was found dead in his home in Monteu da Po, believed to have drowned as a result of the flooding.
The damage in Piedmont alone is estimated to cost tens of millions of euros. The region has experienced landslides, flooding, evacuations, and the collapse of a bridge, necessitating urgent attention. Over 700 firefighters are actively working to manage floodwaters, clear fallen trees, and secure areas affected by landslides, particularly around Turin.
The threat of river flooding remains high, especially for the River Po, which has risen by nearly five meters in the past 24 hours. There is a significant risk of the river bursting its banks at the border between Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna. The floodwaters are expected to pass through Emilia with levels nearing alert level three.
The weather forecast indicates a brief return of sunshine on Friday and partly on Saturday, but rain is anticipated to return to central and northern Italy between Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. Meanwhile, southern Italy is expected to remain sunny.
In other parts of Europe, heavy snowfall has impacted regions in Italy, France, and Switzerland. The southern Alps experienced significant snowfalls on Thursday, leading to travel disruptions and power outages. In France, avalanche warnings reached level five in areas such as Chamonix, with over a meter of snow reported in some locations.
Switzerland also faced disruptions as snow affected road and rail transport, leaving areas in the canton of Valais without power. Schools in the region were closed as a precaution, and emergency meeting points were established in Zermatt to provide essential supplies amid ongoing power cuts. Local reports indicate that such intense snowfall has not been recorded in central Valais in April since 1976.
