Civil Protection Minister Nello Musumeci urged the introduction of flood prevention legislation as Emilia Romagna continues to struggle after the weekend’s devastating floods.
The Civil Protection Minister and Democratic Party (PD) leader Elly Schlein on Monday both called for flood prevention legislation.
Many areas of Emilia Romagna remain submerged, and the region is grappling with widespread damage following several days of heavy rain.
Musumeci asked, “What could have caused this fragility in Italy’s territory?” He pointed to “the excessive consumption of the soil” as a key factor. Musumeci called for “courage” to pass a law stopping this harmful practice, adding that “concrete becomes the best accomplice of water.” He emphasised that “the priority of prevention is missing in all local institutions, but also at a national level.”
Schlein echoed this sentiment, stating that “it’s clear prevention must be taken to the next level, and it is necessary to draft a law to regulate soil consumption in a region like Emilia Romagna.”
This was the fourth major flood in the area in just 18 months. Speaking on Rai3’s Agorà programme, Schlein expressed her desire for such legislation to be implemented “also at a national level.”
In the last week, Sicily, Emilia Romagna, Marche and Tuscany have all felt the consequences of heavy rain and compromised land.
In its 6th Water Forum, environmental organisation Legambiente highlighted how Italy is significantly behind in sustainable water management. Agriculture, a key component of the economy, has suffered due to extreme weather events – 96 in the last four years. “Most of the damage is due to hailstorms (58%), drought (27%), flooding (10%) and river flooding (4%)”, the organisation stated in a press release.
