Italy faces new drought alert as Venice canals run dry

Weeks of dry winter weather have raised concerns that Italy could face another drought after last summer's emergency, with the Alps having received less than half of their normal snowfall, according to scientists and environmental groups. "We need to recover 500 millimetres in the north-western regions: we need 50 days of rain," he added. Weeks of dry winter weather have raised concerns that Italy could face another drought after last summer's emergency, with the Alps having received less than half of their normal snowfall, according to scientists and environmental groups. "We need to recover 500 millimetres in the north-western regions: we need 50 days of rain," he added. Latest weather forecasts do however signal the arrival of much-needed precipitation and snow in the Alps in coming days.