Lago Maggiore drought: Italy and Switzerland reach emergency water agreement

Italy and Switzerland have reached an emergency agreement to address critical water shortages in Lago Maggiore, which has reached historic lows due to severe drought. The drought has severely impacted the agricultural sector in the Po River basin, particularly rice production in the Piedmont, Novarese, Lomellina, and Milanese regions, where water needs have reached a 70% deficit.

Under the emergency plan, water discharge from Lake Lugano at Ponte Tresa will be increased from 3 to 8 cubic meters per second. Due to the hydrological connection between the two lakes, this additional flow will primarily replenish Lago Maggiore.

While the agreement provides immediate relief, Swiss authorities in the Canton of Ticino noted that water levels in their hydroelectric reservoirs are at their lowest in a decade. The Swiss government is currently working on technical details of the agreement to manage future water resource conflicts and ensure stability during both shortages and periods of extreme high water levels.