Flooding in Venice will increase “dramatically” as sea levels rise and possibly leave the Italian city forever submerged by the end of the next century, scientists have warned.
And experts say Heritage sites – such as the Tower of London – would also be drowned by a similar rise in seal levels. If nothing is done the consequences may be disastrous – with our common heritage “being lost”, warn scientists
Rising sea levels could flood cities including Venice, Rhodes, and Pisa – destroying historic buildings and monuments, according to the study of the Mediterranean.
While Venice is already vulnerable to flooding, waters on Tuesday rose to 74 inches (187 centimeters) —their highest levels since the infamous record flood of 1966.
The flooding is blamed on climate change, and the likelihood is that high waters such as these (known locally “acqua alta”) will only become more frequent and severe as global sea levels rise.
In the recent November 12, 2019 event most of Venice was flooded because of the second worst ‘acqua alta’ event ever. High waves covered the lagoon producing huge damage to exposed structures of the city and boats. Buildings suffered structural damage.
