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High tide in Venice could hit twice normal level

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Venice, Italy, is facing the second worst flooding in nearly 100 years.

The high tide could hit nearly twice the normal level on Friday. At least two people have died, and the city’s mayor has closed the historic St. Mark’s Square. Holly Williams reports.

What other coastal regions around the world are experiencing the impact of rising sea levels?

Venice, the famous Italian city built on a cluster of islands in the Adriatic Sea, is once again facing a serious threat from high tides. Reports suggest that the high tide expected in the coming days could reach twice the normal level, posing a significant risk to the city and its inhabitants.

High tides or acqua alta, as they are called in Italian, have been a regular occurrence in Venice throughout its history, but in recent decades, they have become more frequent and severe. The cause of these high tides is a combination of factors such as rising sea levels due to global warming and melting glaciers, as well as land subsidence due to excessive pumping of groundwater.

The prediction of the exceptionally high tide has prompted authorities in Venice to take proactive measures to protect the city. The MOSE project, a series of mobile barriers that can be rapidly deployed to protect Venice from flooding, has been put into action. The barriers, designed to defend against high tides of up to 3 meters, have not been tested to their full capacity yet.

Venice is not the only city in the world grappling with the consequences of global warming and high tides. Many coastal regions around the world have been experiencing the impact of rising sea levels, with severe consequences for people living in these areas. In some cases, entire islands have been swallowed by the sea.

The need for action is clear, and governments around the world must take steps to address the root causes of these vulnerabilities. Reducing carbon emissions, investing in renewable energy, and improving infrastructure to protect against the effects of climate change are some of the measures that can help the world prepare for and mitigate the impact of future climate events.

As for Venice, the city is likely to be on edge in the coming days as it waits to see whether the high tide will reach the alarming levels predicted. Nevertheless, the mobile barriers put in place under the MOSE project are a promising sign that the authorities are taking the risk seriously.

It is clear that Venice has faced many challenges throughout its long history, but the threat posed by rising sea levels and high tides is one that is both urgent and potentially catastrophic. As the world faces the consequences of climate change, it is essential to work together to find solutions that protect vulnerable communities like Venice, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy the unique cultural heritage and beauty of this magnificent city.