No rain in winter

Island of Sicily confronted with severe drought

The Mediterranean island of Sicily is facing a severe drought (pictured is the low water level at Lago di Pergusa).

(Bild: AFP/Alberto Pizzoli)

The Mediterranean island of Sicily is facing a severe drought. Despite some rainfall in recent days, it is currently the only region in Italy that is in the red zone due to a lack of water.

The same situation applies to Morocco and Algeria. A situation that is hurting farmers and livestock breeders, who are already suffering the consequences of the abnormal weather phenomena of 2023.

Europe's largest citrus fruit producer
There is hardly any green fodder and hay crops were damaged by heavy rainfall in May last year. The regional government has therefore tasked a recently established crisis team with identifying structural measures to tackle the water shortage and safeguard livestock farming and agricultural production. The island is one of Europe's largest producers of citrus fruits, olives and wheat.

The picture shows the almost dried-up Cava torrent near the small town of Enna.

(Bild: AFP/Alberto Pizzoli)

Regular irrigation "not possible"
"The weather conditions in recent months have led to a significant drop in the amount of water in the reservoirs, meaning that regular irrigation of the soil to compensate for the lack of rainfall is not possible. We are aware of the critical situation and are taking all necessary measures to support and protect agriculture, livestock farming and the products of our land," said Sicilian Agriculture Commissioner Luca Sammartino.

Up to 96 percent less rainfall
Drought is nothing new for the Sicilians. Many of them have cisterns to collect rainwater. From September to December 2023, the rainfall deficit amounted to a total of 220 millimetres, with peak values of minus 96 percent in the provinces of Enna and Catania in December alone. The same trend continued in January and now the drought is forcing both Sicily and Sardinia to ration the little water they have.

Hoped-for winter rains failed tomaterialize
The regional authorities on the southern Italian island declared a state of emergency at the beginning of February after the hoped-for winter rains failed to materialize following last year's harsh summer. According to Andrea Toreti, coordinator of the European Drought Observatory, droughts, heavy rainfall and heatwaves are becoming increasingly frequent in Sicily.