The flow of Italy’s Po River has dropped significantly in less than two weeks due to a heatwave, allowing salty seawater to advance inland and raising concerns for the delta’s agriculture and protected wetlands.
Impact on Local Farmers
Local farmers, such as Federica Vidali, are worried about the impact of the reduced water flow on their crops. Vidali’s soybeans, alfalfa, and sunflowers require large amounts of water, and the saltwater infiltration is damaging the environment and crops.
Irrigation canals are being shut to prevent saltwater from burning crops, affecting maize and rice growers as well. The crisis is more alarming this year due to its early appearance, with the river’s flow dropping from 1,000 cubic meters per second to below 300.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
