Sicily has declared a state of emergency as the region experiences its worst drought in almost 20 years. In early February, President of Sicily Renato Schifani declared the drought a natural disaster and as of “Monday 4 March, water rationing will be implemented in more than 93 municipalities, affecting 850,000 residents. In some cases, rationing could reach 45 per cent.”
The island, which recorded the highest temperature in Europe in 2021, has experienced very low rainfall and high evaporation rates, leading to depleted reservoirs and dry lakes. The drought has affected the agricultural sector, which relies on irrigation for crops such as wheat, citrus fruits, olives and grapes.
Many farmers have lost their harvests or have to buy expensive fodder for their livestock. The regional government has declared a state of emergency and appointed a commissioner to deal with the situation. Water rationing has been implemented in more than 90 municipalities, affecting over 800,000 citizens. Some experts warn that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and droughts, and call for more sustainable water management practices.
A lack of winter rainfall after last year’s hot summer has left supplies running low.
The crisis is not affecting only Sicily. The severe drought has hit countries across the western Mediterranean. “Sicily is the only region in Italy and among the few in Europe in a red zone due to a shortage of water resources. Morocco and Algeria are in the same situation,” the regional government said in a statement.
For local authorities, the situation is serious. Without timely intervention, there is a real risk that in a few weeks citizens will be without water.
“Around 10 to 15 per cent of water is already rationed in 55 municipalities,” Massimo Burruano, Operations Director at water management company Siciliacque, told Euronews.
In response, Schifani’s government has appointed Dario Cartabellotta, general manager of the Agriculture Department, as commissioner.
Cartabellota’s mandate will be to streamline procedures to respond to the drought, support the cost of transporting livestock, oversee the exemption of rent payments for public grazing areas and the disbursement of an initial €5 million contribution to farms for the purchase of fodder and water supply.
The state of emergency did not occur all at once, the situation has been in freefall for several years now.
However, the crisis is not just due to climate change. Mismanagement has been a significant factor. “The water management consortia in Sicily, the only organizations responsible for managing water for irrigation purposes, have been in commission for over thirty years,” Massimo Gargano, director general of ANBI told Euronews.
“For three decades, the region has lacked an adequate management structure, with no new projects, and maintenance has not been carried out adequately.”
