Storm Boris wreaks havoc in Italy after devastating central Europe

Storm Boris continues to cause destruction, now battering the north-east and central regions of Italy after leaving a trail of devastation across central Europe. The storm has led to severe flooding in Italy’s Emilia Romagna and Marche regions, forcing more than 1,000 residents to evacuate. Two people have been reported missing.

In Emilia Romagna, landslides have disrupted roadways, while railway services have been heavily impacted. Residents in some areas have been forced to flee their homes using dinghies due to rapidly rising rivers.

The city of Faenza has been one of the hardest hit, with overflowing rivers and sewage systems. Schools, libraries, and parks have been closed across affected areas, including Ravenna, and the University of Bologna has canceled exams and classes.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced €10 billion in EU funding to assist flood-affected countries. She made the statement after meeting with leaders of Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Austria in Wroclaw, Poland, where high river levels continue to threaten the region.

Storm Boris has claimed at least 23 lives in its path across Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, and Austria. Though the rain is expected to ease by Friday, the risk of further flooding remains high.

The recent deluge in Italy is reminiscent of the catastrophic flooding that hit the Emilia Romagna region in May 2023, when 13 people lost their lives.

Scientists have warned that extreme weather events like these are becoming more frequent due to climate change, though the exact impact of global warming on this storm is yet to be determined.

(With inputs from BBC)

Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.