No drought relief in sight as Rome faces water rationing, Vatican shuts off fountains.
Significant rain is needed to quell the wildfire risk, ease fears of water rationing and allow the Vatican to turn back on its water fountains.
One of the twin fountains of St. Peter’s square at the Vatican is seen after it was shut down, Tuesday, July 25, 2017.
(AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Some of the 2,500 drinking fountains around Rome were also shut off.
Rome area’s governor last week ordered no more water drawn from Lake Bracciano, which supplies much of the Italian capital, raising risk for staggered water supply shutdowns as long as eight hours daily in alternating neighborhoods.
In southeastern Italy, some locations recorded highs of around 40 C (104 F).” In Rome, summer is typically a dry time of the year, but the capital started the dry season with a substantial rainfall shortage.
“I expect going into next week and the rest of August for there to be a lack of rain across Italy,” Roys said.
“Otherwise, nothing really is likely to develop.” Heat is the one thing that Roys does anticipate building over the coming days and into the start of August.
“Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, temperatures across the valleys of northern and eastern Italy may make a run between 35 and 38 C (95 and 100 F),” he said.
Soaring temperatures will only further dry out the ground, vegetation and water sources.