Drought in Venice: Authorities Report Dry Canals, Transport Chaos

Because of the drought, the operation of water ambulances, river buses (vaporetto) and water transport in general has been disrupted.

Nearly 150 canals have dried up in Venice: the water level has dropped by half a meter due to strong tides and drought. The famous gondola rides are canceled. Scientists attribute the drying-up of the canals to a number of factors, including drought, a full moon, sea currents and high atmospheric pressure. Dry canals partially paralyzed the urban transport system.

Explore Sputnik photogallery to learn more!

1/8

© AP Photo / Luigi Costantini

Passengers get off a gondola docked along a canal during a low tide in Venice, Italy. Some of Venice's secondary canals have practically dried up lately due a prolonged spell of low tides linked to a lingering high-pressure weather system.

2/8

© AFP 2023 / Marco Sabadin

This photograph shows gondolas tied up in Venice Canal Grande, during a severe low tide in the lagoon city.

3/8

© AP Photo / Luigi Costantini

A view of a dried canal during a low tide in Venice, Italy.

4/8

© AP Photo / Luigi Costantini

Vaporettos are also under pressure. Vaporetto is a Venetian public waterbus. There are 19 different lines that operate within Venice.

5/8

© AFP 2023 / Marco Sabadin

Scientists link the drought in the region to several factors at once - lack of precipitation, high atmospheric pressure, full moon and sea currents.

6/8

© AFP 2023 / Marco Sabadin

Dried canals pose a challenge to Venetian Emergency Medical Services since there is a number of water ambulances.

7/8

© AP Photo / Luigi Costantini

Sometimes ambulance drivers have to stop vehicles far from the patient's home and patients must be carried.

8/8

© AP Photo / Luigi Costantini

People look at gondolas docked along a canal during a low tide in Venice, Italy.