Storm Boris has hit Italy’s north-east and central regions, causing severe flooding and disruption.
Over 1,000 residents in Emilia Romagna have been evacuated, while towns in Marche report extensive damage. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported so far.
The storm has led to widespread closures of schools, libraries, and parks, with roads impacted by landslides and railway services severely disrupted.
Authorities have urged residents to avoid basements and move to higher floors for safety.
The city of Faenza has been particularly hard-hit, as rivers have risen rapidly, forcing residents to evacuate using dinghies.
The sewage system has also overflowed due to high river levels. However, Bologna authorities reported that river levels in their city remain under control, though a red weather alert persists.
This storm evokes memories of the deadly flooding Emilia Romagna experienced in May 2023, when 13 people lost their lives after six months’ worth of rain fell in just two days, causing devastating floods.
Italy is the latest country to feel the impact of Storm Boris, which previously ravaged Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, and Austria, leaving 23 dead.
Meanwhile, rising Danube River levels continue to threaten Hungary, with Budapest bracing for the worst this weekend.
