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City of Niscemi Faces Landslide After Storm in Sicily, with Houses Closed and State of Emergency in Italy.
A landslide caused by a storm in Sicily put the City of Niscemi, in southern Italy, in a critical situation this Tuesday (27).
Leading to the evacuation of over 1,500 residents, the closure of houses, and the declaration of a state of emergency by the Italian government, amid the advance of extreme weather in Italy.
City of Niscemi Faces Immediate Risk After Landslide
Located on a plateau in central-southern Sicily, the City of Niscemi, with about 25,000 inhabitants, has come to live with a concerning geological instability scenario.
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Large sections of the hillside collapsed after last week’s storm.
As a result, buildings have been left literally on the edge of a precipice.
A car, in fact, was spotted parked with its front facing the abyss, illustrating the degree of risk faced by the local population.
According to the Italian Civil Defense, the ground in the area is gradually shifting towards the plain below.
Therefore, the landslide remains active and still requires caution.
Over 1,500 People Evacuated Due to Structural Risk
In light of the advancing landslide, authorities ordered the immediate evacuation of more than 1,500 residents from the areas deemed unstable.
The measure, while preventive, caused concern among families.
“Let’s be clear: there are houses on the edge of the landslide that are uninhabitable,” said the head of Civil Defense, Fabio Ciciliano, in an interview given in Niscemi.
According to him, some residents will be permanently relocated.
Additionally, Ciciliano stated that a more detailed technical assessment will be made once the water level drops and the ground movement decreases.
“The landslide is still active,” he emphasized.
Storm in Sicily Amplifies Impacts of Extreme Weather in Italy
The storm in Sicily is part of a series of severe weather events that have affected Italy in recent years.
Heavy rains, strong winds, and coastal flooding have been becoming increasingly frequent.
This extreme weather in Italy has caused flooding, landslides, and destruction of infrastructure, even in regions that historically did not suffer from such phenomena.
In addition to Sicily, other areas in the south of the country have also reported significant damage after the passage of the weather system.
State of Emergency Declared by the Italian Government
On Monday (26), the government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni declared a state of emergency for three regions in the south: Sicily, Sardinia, and Calabria.
This measure allows for expedited resource allocation, simplification of bureaucratic processes, and reinforcement of rapid response actions.
Initially, 100 million euros were allocated, equivalent to about R$ 626 million, to address the most urgent needs.
However, local authorities estimate that total damages already exceed 1 billion euros, especially after the sea encroached on urban and commercial areas.
Residents Report Abandonment and Historical Failures
In Niscemi, the social impact of the landslide goes beyond material damages.
Thus, the sudden evacuation of families heightened the feelings of insecurity and outrage among residents.
Some claim that signs of instability had been known for decades but did not receive the proper attention from the government.
“I was told I have to leave, even though nothing has collapsed inside or under my house,” reported Francesco Zarba.
According to him, the first landslide occurred about 30 years ago. “No one did anything,” he added.
Scenario Reinforces Alert About Climate Adaptation
Experts warn that episodes like those in the City of Niscemi are likely to be repeated if there are no consistent investments in prevention, geological monitoring, and urban adaptation.
In the meantime, residents await definitions on permanent relocation and containment measures.
Thus, the priority, according to Civil Defense, remains to preserve lives in light of the advance of extreme weather in Italy.
See more at: City in Italy at the Edge of a Precipice After Landslide | CNN Brasil
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