The Italian government has declared a state of emergency in Venice post worst flooding in city in over 50 years.
Taking to micro-blogging site Twitter, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Thursday said the cabinet approved an emergency fund of 20 million euros that will be used to financially support the city and the population. He also said those with damaged homes will immediately receive 5,000 euros.
Water reached a maximum height of 3 feet, 8 inches early Thursday and heavy rainfall will continue to bring further floods into the city, National Public Radio quoted authorities as saying.
The UNESCO city reeled under the flood fury with commercial activities on its knees and artistic heritage compromised.
The surging water invaded the crypt at St. Mark’s Basilica’s crypt and Acqua Alta Library, a famous bookstore ironically named after the Italian term for Venice’s occasional tidal flooding.
On Tuesday, the high-water mark reached 6 feet, 2 inches, just 2 inches less than the record measurement in 1966.
As many as 140 workers and 40 boats are pressed into service to clean the city.
