Venice flooding latest: 21 ports from Venice to Naples at ‘risk of drowning’ – FULL MAP

A state of emergency was declared in Venice on Wednesday following “apocalyptic” floods barreling through squares, inundating the historic basilica and drenching centuries-old buildings. Now further flooding could come as sea levels are forecast to rise.

Italian research agency ENEA is forecasting 21 ports from Venice to Naples are at risk due to climate change.

Italian ports will face a sea-level rise and the estimate is about one meter in 2100, with higher peaks in Venice (more than 1.064 meters), Naples (more 1.040 meters), Cagliari (more than 1.033 meters), Palermo and Brindisi.

This comes from ENEA’s recent projections in a report dedicated to the Mediterranean.

The increase estimated by ENEA affects also takes into account the effect of the storm surge which could see levels rise yet further.

A storm surge is the co-existence of low pressure, waves and wind which in particular conditions cause an increase in sea levels of about one meter compared to the coast.

Read More: Venice floods: Two people die as city of Venice submerged by floods

Mr Zaia said he was “horrified” by what he was seeing from numerous communities.

Saint Mark’s Basilica has been flooded for the sixth time in 1,200 years – but the fourth in the last 20.

Archbishop Francesco Moraglia said: “The Basilica is suffering structural damage because the water has risen and so it’s causing irreparable damage.

“I have never seen anything like it. Venice is a wounded city, but it can’t keep on being wounded every year in the same way.”

The floods have been blamed on climate change by Venice’s mayor Luigi Brugnaro.

Mr Brugnaro tweeted to say the highest water levels in the region in more than 50 years would leave “a permanent mark”.

He added: “Now the government must listen. These are the effects of climate change… the costs will be high.”

Venice is made up of more than 100 islands located inside a lagoon along the northeast coast of Italy.

More than 80 percent of the city was underwater when the tide was at its highest.

Although levels had receded by daybreak, further bad weather is expected later this week, with a series of storms lining up to batter Italy.

Mr Brugnaro said the damage was “huge” and warning a project to help prevent the Venice being inundated by devastating floods “must be finished soon”.

He said on Twitter: ”The situation is dramatic. We ask the government to help us.”

He added schools would remain closed until the water level subsides.

Additional Reporting by Maria Ortega

source: express.co.uk