Gondolas are docked along a canal at low tide during high tide in Venice, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023.
Luigi Costantini | AP
Some of Venice’s smaller canals are running dry amid unusually low tides and a lack of water, making it difficult for gondolas, water taxis and ambulance boats to travel to the Italian city.
Declining water levels in the canals are linked to a variety of issues, including a prolonged period of high tides and a high pressure weather system over much of Italy. The muddy canals have disrupted some transport and tourist services in a city where there are no cars.
The situation in Venice, historically known for its frequent floods, comes after weeks of a dry winter in Italy which has raised fears of another drought crisis after last year’s dry summer .
The Italian Alps have received around half of their normal snowfall this winter and the country’s longest river, the river Po, is currently holding 61% less rain than normal at this time of year, according to Italian environmental agency Legambiente. Last July, Italy declared a state of emergency for areas around the Po river.
Check out some photos from the past two weeks of docked gondolas in the canals of Venice:
A gondola is docked on a dry canal during high tide in Venice, Italy, Monday, Feb. 20, 2023. Some of Venice’s secondary canals have dried up significantly recently due to long periods of high tide. sea associated with high pressure weather. system.
Luigi Costantini | AP
Gondolas are docked on a canal at high tide in Venice, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023.
Luigi Costantini | AP
A view of a dry canal at high tide in Venice, Italy, Tuesday, February 21, 2023.
Luigi Costantini | AP
Boats are docked on a canal at high tide in Venice, Italy, Monday, Feb. 20, 2023.
Luigi Costantini | AP
Gondolas are docked along a canal at low tide during high tide in Venice, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023.
Luigi Costantini | AP
Gondolas are docked along a canal at low tide during high tide in Venice, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023.
Luigi Costantini | AP
