On Thursday 16 May alone, 132 millimeters of rain fell on Venice, that is, almost a fifth of what falls on average in an entire year.
The Arpav data attests this. But throughout the region there was a new heavy rainfall, after that of the previous night.
“We can say that the efficiency of the machine, together with the infrastructural works, from the rolling basins to the diaphragms and the 2,500 construction sites for hydrogeological defense, have allowed us to avoid the worst”. Thus the President of the Veneto Region Luca Zaia.
«The situation – continues Zaia – has been truly critical in much of the region. Just to give you an idea, last night the Civil Protection received 2,400 calls. This night the embankment of the Muson dei Sassi in the municipality of Camposampiero (PD) was broken, with the luck that the river overflowed on the left bank, while the town is on the right. The damage is extensive. Since I signed the State of Emergency yesterday, I invite citizens who have been affected by the events to recover photos and materials to certify the damage. The collection of documents will be essential for the purpose of requesting compensation. I have spoken to the national director of the Civil Protection department Fabrizio Curcio to whom I will ask for access to the national solidarity fund for Civil Protection events”.
The President specified the functioning and reservoir of the activated basins: Montebello (filled to 50% of the reservoir, controlled), Colombaretta (100%, natural overflow trigger), Caldogno (50%, controlled), Orolo (100%, natural trigger overflow), Trissino (40%, natural trigger), Viale Diaz (40% flooded, natural trigger), Muson dei Sassi (80%).
«We are faced with an exceptional phenomenon», underlined the regional councilor for Civil Protection Bottacin. «For example, last night in Asolo 42 mm of rain was recorded in half an hour and in Castelfranco 80 mm in less than an hour and a half. At the moment the flood peaks are passing in the middle and final stretches of the watercourses, there are also problems in the Sile areas, but we can say that the worst is over.”
