Heavy rainfall triggers deadly floods in Italy's northern regions

ROME

Severe storms and heavy rainfall have caused widespread flooding and flash floods in Italy's northern regions, resulting in the death of one person and significant disruption across Liguria and Tuscany regions.

Over recent days, intense downpours in these regions have led to rivers and streams overflowing, with the national media reporting several landslides in higher terrain.

In Liguria alone, more than 200 millimeters (7.9 inches) of rain fell within an 18-hour span on Oct. 16, while parts of Tuscany were inundated after receiving 100 millimeters of rain in just one hour.

The severe weather has left several cities, including Genoa, Rapallo, Savona, and Chiavari in Liguria, and Livorno and Siena in Tuscany, grappling with water damage and transportation chaos.

A red alert was issued for the Entella and Magra rivers in Liguria due to the high risk of flooding. Residents of affected areas were urged to take precautions and stay indoors as local authorities monitored the situation closely.

A 75-year-old hiker was killed after being swept away by the floodwaters in a forested area.

The heavy rains also caused significant structural damage, with footage circulating on social media showing floodwaters surging over Genoa's Sori Bridge, creating a waterfall-like torrent.

In Siena, water inundated the railway station, submerging tracks and disrupting services, while tram lines in Florence were damaged by the torrential downpours.

In response, authorities have shut down primary and secondary schools in the most affected areas to ensure the safety of students.

The Civil Protection Department has issued warnings across both Liguria and Tuscany, advising residents to avoid non-essential travel and remain vigilant as weather conditions continue to pose risks.