Nocere – Earth Disasters

WIth water rising to 1.56m (5ft) above normal level, Venice’s streets are now submerged, including the famous St Mark’s square. According to authorities, this recent flood has been the biggest ever recorded in the past 2 decades. The highest flood ever recorded was 1.94m in 1966, whereby more than 5,000 people were left homeless. As for now, officials are planning to construct an underwater dam by 2011 to protect Venice city when such floods were to occur again in the near future.

Measures are in place to assist residents and tourists, for instance, woodens walkways have been set up to increase accesibility. Sirens and loudspeakers are scattered around affected areas, providing annoucements and flood alerts.

Though measures have been implemented, the situation in Venice is still complicated. Residents staying on the ground floor have to pump out water from their houses using buckets. To make things worst, flood water is highly polluted and smelly. Rubbish could also be seen lying along the streets when water level recedes. In addition, recent transport strike posted another problem for the city’s commuters. Mayor Massimo Cacciari has urged residents to stay at home, while discouraging tourists from visiting Venice.

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