Italy floods: At least 13 dead as devastating floods force 13,000 from their homes 

At least 13 people have died and thousands of people have been displaced after more than 20 rivers in Italy overflowed. Italy experienced six months’ worth of rainfall within just 36 hours, causing widespread flooding and triggering over 280 landslides. The situation has been described by the mayor of Ravenna as the worst disaster in a century. 

The floods and landslides have affected numerous areas, stretching from Bologna to the northeast coast, approximately 115 kilometres (70 miles) away. 

There have been calls for an urgent national plan to address the challenges posed by climate change, including rising temperatures and extreme rainfall, which increases the risk of flooding events. 

Italy’s PM Giorgia Meloni will hold a crisis meeting to address the situation and its long-term implications. More rainfall is expected in the coming days and evacuations are continuing. The damage has already reached billions of euros and has seen the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix cancelled.