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Sicily's Drought Management Faces Unprecedented Challenges

Despite effective water conservation strategies, a record dry year strains resources and threatens local resilience.

Visitors admire the ancient Greek Concordia temple, known as the Temple of Juno, in the Valley of the Temples archeological park, in Agrigento, southern Sicily, Italy, Thursday, July 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
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Overview

  • Tourists in Sicily remain largely unaffected by the drought due to prioritized water distribution to hotels and attractions.
  • Local residents face severe water rationing, receiving only two to four hours of water per week.
  • Agrigento has been particularly hard hit, with the local water basin authority implementing strict measures to manage scarce resources.
  • The Italian government has declared a state of emergency, allocating funds for water tankers and infrastructure improvements.
  • Climate change is exacerbating the situation, with higher temperatures and erratic weather patterns making droughts more frequent and severe.