VENICE, Nov 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Flood-hit Venice braced for another
exceptional high tide, with the mayor ordering St Mark’s square closed
after Italy declared a state of emergency for the UNESCO city.
Luigi Brugnaro ordered the iconic square closed ahead of the latest sea
surge of around 1.6 metres (over five feet) mid-morning Friday as strong storms and winds batter the region — lower than Tuesday’s peak but still dangerous.
“I’m forced to close the square to avoid health risks for citizens… a
disaster,” Brugnaro said.
Churches, shops and homes in the city of canals have been inundated by
unusually intense “acqua alta”, or high waters, which on Tuesday hit their
highest level in half a century.
“We’ve destroyed Venice, we’re talking about a billion (euros) in damage
and that’s just from the other day, not today,” Brugnaro said as far-right
leader Matteo Salvini joined the list of politicians to visit the stricken
city.
The crisis, driven by bad weather, has prompted the government to release
20 million euros ($22 million) in funds to tackle the devastation.
Before it was closed, tourists had been larking around in the flooded St
Mark’s Square in the sunshine during breaks from the rain, snapping selfies
in neon plastic boots.
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, who has called the flooding “a blow to the
heart of our country”, on Thursday declared the emergency.
Earlier that day, he met Venice’s mayor and emergency services before
jumping in a speed boat to visit businesses and locals affected by the tide.
Residents whose houses had been hit would immediately get up to 5,000
euros in government aid, while restaurant and shop owners could receive up to 20,000 euros and apply for more later, he said. — NNN-AGENCIES
