An orange alert has been issued in Milan and Lombardy for strong thunderstorms until midnight on Friday 21 June. A first, brief but violent downpour hit the capital for 10 minutes around 7.30pm, causing the fall of some trees and consequent traffic disruption, especially of trams, in addition to the collapse of roofs and cornices. No injuries were reported.
The place most affected by the storm was the square of the Monumental cemeterywhere the overhead line that feeds some tram lines (14, 16 and 12) was interrupted due to the fall of a tree in via Luigi Nono.
The subways are regular. Another tree fell in via Procacciniand damaged plants have been reported at Sempione Park and in the Triennale area.
«Now the most critical phase is awaited – warns the Security Councilor Marco Granelli —. Milan is surrounded by very strong storms: to the north Cantù, Erba, Canzo; to the south-east between Melegnano, Paullo, Lodi, Treviglio; to the south-west Vigevano, Abbiategrasso, Corsico. It is necessary to pay great attention to strong winds, flooding, the risk of falling trees and hail». «For now the river levels are low but flood waves are expected in the next few hours – continues the councilor -. The Civil Protection system is in operation.”
