# Italian drought and water crisis

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/italian-drought-and-water-crisis
> Updated: 2026-08-04T14:37:39.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 2.

In early August 2026, Italy’s climate emergency became visible when Green party leader Angelo Bonelli warned that the Po River was nearly dry and urged Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to visit the region and act on the worsening heat, drought and desertification. The following day, the government rejected a proposal to build a new dam on the Merse River in southern Tuscany, a measure that opposition environment spokesman Marco Simiani said was needed to address the severe drought threatening agriculture, businesses and water supplies. The two events illustrate growing political tension over water‑storage projects as Italy confronts an escalating drought.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-04: Italian government blocks Merse dam amid worsening drought in Tuscany

PD critic Marco Simiani denounced the Meloni government’s rejection of a Merse dam proposal, warning that drought threatens agriculture and water supply in Tuscany.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-government-blocks-merse-dam-amid-worsening-drought-in-tuscany

### 2026-08-03: Po River Near Dryness Leads Green Leader Angelo Bonelli to Call on PM Meloni

Green leader Angelo Bonelli says the Po River is nearly dry, urging PM Meloni to act on Italy’s climate crisis and its impact on agriculture and food prices.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/po-river-near-dryness-leads-green-leader-angelo-bonelli-to-call-on-pm-meloni

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Cite as: Italian drought and water crisis. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/italian-drought-and-water-crisis