More Flooding expected in Venice

� Venice is completely paralysed,” a city official said on Tuesday. “We are submerged.”

The Mayor of Venice, Massimo Cacciari, advised city residents and visitors to avoid moving around the city unless it was absolutely necessary. “Anyone thinking of coming should think again,” he stressed. “These are exceptionally high waters. Don’t venture out unless it is necessary.”

Water reached its highest level in the city in over 20 years, paralyzing city services. Elderly residents had to be carried to dry ground, and others made their way across piazzas in inflatable dinghies.

The highest ‘acqua alta’ since the 5ft reached in 1986, water in the city moved just past that level, and the tide monitoring centre is warning that levels might reach a 30-year high. In 1966, water reached a level of 6ft 4in above sea level, causing devastation to historic artwork, monuments, homes and shops.

Fears of worse flooding are growing, as another surge from the Adriatic is predicted for Wednesday, due to bad weather coinciding with the timing of the high tides. Over the past few days, temperatures have barely risen above the freezing point.

Workers in the city have set up elevated walkways, and officials are sending text messages to everyone who had registered with the Venice flood warning service, providing updates on the situation. A red alert put out on Tuesday remains in force.

Thanks to www.travelmole.com for the above quotes, for more information on this article please visit their website.

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