The first high water of the
autumn hit Venice Monday and sirens blared across the lagoon
city as the 'acqua alta' passed the 110 cm above sea level at
which citizens are alerted to the phenomenon.
The water level was measured at 149 above sea level, a
measure at which 70% of the city centre is flooded.
It is set to hit 160 cm at about 15:00, local officials said.
Levels of 100-120 cm above sea level are fairly common
in the lagoon city and Venice is well-equipped to cope with
its rafts of pontoon walkways.
But anything much above 120cm risks swamping the city
and washing the walkways away.
The high-water threat has been increasing in recent
years as heavier rains have hit northern Italy, weather
experts say.
Scientists have conceived various ways of warding off
the waters since a dramatic 1966 flood, and a system of
moveable flood barriers called MOSE is being installed after
years of rows.
Experts say there are three main reasons for high water
in the city: the rising floor in the lagoon caused by
incoming silt; the undermining of the islands by the
extraction of methane gas in the sea off Venice; and the
overall increase in sea levels caused by global warming.
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