Taranto and Brindisi face record heat and drought

The provinces of Taranto and Brindisi in Italy experienced unprecedented thermal spikes during the summer of 2026. Meteorological data shows extreme maximum temperatures reaching 37.9 °C, with daily averages consistently exceeding 30.9 °C and heat indices approaching 43.6 °C.

This extreme heat has caused a severe drought and widespread water stress, significantly impacting citizens and the agricultural sector, including fruit and vegetable crops, viticulture, olive groves, and livestock.

Despite these climatic challenges, Vito Rubino, director of CIA Due Mari, noted that the regional water management system and administrative infrastructure have responded with high efficiency. Rubino praised the leadership of Francesco Ferraro, who serves as both the director of Arif and the extraordinary commissioner of the Reclamation Consortium, for maintaining preparedness during the crisis.