Severe Storms in Italy Cause Floods, Avalanches, Power Outages

Italy is grappling with adverse weather conditions as the country faces severe storms leading to floods, heavy snowfall, and power outages, with rivers in northern Italy on high alert.

According to Italy's ANSA news agency, Italian authorities have issued warnings in several areas including Piedmont, Emilia-Romagna, and Veneto for strong winds, rain, and snow, along with a yellow alert in 13 other regions, prompting the closure of construction sites and parks.

After three months of mild weather, winter has returned with a vengeance to Italy, particularly affecting the northwest with violent snowstorms.

The report indicates that heavy snow has blanketed the mountains surrounding the city of Turin, resulting in snow accumulation of up to one meter in some areas.

These storms have led to power outages, disrupted traffic on highways and secondary roads, many of which have become impassable.

Authorities have warned of the risk of avalanches in the western Alps and urged caution in low-lying areas due to the potential for flooding from heavy rain.

Western Italy is the hardest hit, with traffic halted on roads and immediate intervention by firefighters.

In Genoa, rain poured throughout the night, causing landslides and floods, and filling some streets with water and mud.

Around 100 people remain isolated in Molini di Triora, within Imperia, due to a landslide that caused part of the road leading to the town to collapse.

In the interior areas of Imperia as well, a landslide on the Lavina Alta road has isolated another 70 people, while an avalanche swept away four hikers, all of whom were rescued alive, with only one requiring hospitalization.

In Salinerimo, a landslide has isolated about twenty homes along the Cassine Luneri road, in the upper part of the Armia valley, near the prisoners.

The situation is also complicated in Piedmont, where around thirty roads have been closed as a precaution against the risk of avalanches.

In the province of Turin, regional road number 32 from Viù to Usseglio, in the Lanzo Valleys, has been closed in certain sections due to falling trees laden with snow.

Mayors of municipalities affected by heavy snowfall have urged citizens to stay indoors and limit travel as much as possible.