Venice’s famous canals start to run dry

ALBAWABA - Between October and January each year, the city’s main concern is usually flooding.

Every year for a few days, the water level rises and covers the low parts of Venice, like Saint Mark’s Square.

But now, several weeks of a dry winter weather made it impossible for gondolas, water taxis and ambulances to navigate.

Severely low water levels meant that some of Venice’s inner canals did not have enough water for boats to operate, but the city’s Grand Canal and other main waterways like the Guidecca Canal remained navigable.

This winter, the Alps have gotten 53 percent less snow than normal, and Northern Italy’s Po River has 61 percent less water, according to environmental group Legambiente.

The lack of rain, a high-pressure system, a full moon and sea currents are contributing to Venice’s unusually low tides currently.

Venice, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site comprised of 118 tiny islands linked by canals and bridges, was built in the 5th Century.

The Grand Canal is the main route through the city.