The Veneto region in northeastern Italy declared a state of emergency today due to severe drought, resulting from a 28% decrease in rainfall in the first five months of the year compared to 2025.

The president of the Veneto region, Alberto Stefani, pointed to reduced flow of major rivers in Veneto, calling on local authorities and residents to adopt "more economical and sustainable use of water resources and avoid any potential waste."

He also called on farmers' unions to use water responsibly due to the potential risk of worsening water shortages during intensive irrigation periods in July and August, due to lack of rain.