Five areas have experienced unusually early heatwave and lack of rainfall, in particular the Po valley
Italy has declared a state of emergency in five northern regions and announced emergency funds over a worsening drought that has plagued the Po valley in recent weeks.
The cabinet approved a state of emergency in five regions – Friuli-Romagna, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lombardy, Piedmont and Veneto – until 31 December, the government said in a statement that also announced a €36.5m (£33.8m) fund to help those affected.
