Bad Weather: Lombardy Region Takes Action to Tackle Heavy Rainfall

“Since yesterday evening, the western sector of Lombardy has been affected by moderate rainfall, locally heavy, including showers and thunderstorms. The rainfall is currently spreading across the entire region, with associated strengthening of the winds in the plains and Prealpine areas”. This is what the report from the regional Civil Protection released today at 12.30:XNUMX communicates. In particular – the Note continues – “the abundant rainfall localized in the basins of the Milanese Hydraulic Hub have caused a rapid increase in the hydrometric levels of the main waterways since last night”.

CIVIL PROTECTION COUNCILOR

“The operations center of the Civil Protection – says the regional councilor for Security and Civil Protection – is constantly monitoring the situation throughout the regional territory. In the places that present the most critical issues, volunteers from the regional and provincial coordination have already been present since last night and we thank them for their tireless commitment".
"In particular - adds the councilor – at the request of the Municipality of Milano, the Civil Protection has activated four teams from the Metropolitan City who are intervening with water pumps and motor pumps and for the supply and positioning of sand bags to contain the numerous floods".

TERRITORY COUNCILOR

"Lombardy region - explains the regional councilor for Territory and Green Systems – is intervening promptly to deal with the intense disturbance that hit us during the night. The commitment of all those involved is strong and constant. A way of working, ours, that goes beyond the provocations of some of the oppositions of the Regional Council who never miss an opportunity to spread information that is not true".
“On the Seveso – concludes the commissioner – let's answer with the facts: the North West spillway canal has been operating at full capacity since yesterday evening, as well as, also in part, the floodplain areas upstream, in addition to the Milano North Park”.

CIVIL PROTECTION REPORT 12.30 PM

WEATHER FORECAST

The descent of an Atlantic perturbation over France determines, for the next few days, a markedly disturbed weather also over Lombardy, with widespread precipitation, thunderstorms and wind reinforcements even in the plains. From Friday the progressive filling of the depression structure leaves a weakly unstable south-westerly flow over the region. Precipitation is expected in a diurnal cycle and mainly limited to the reliefs, with less marked ventilation from the western quadrants.

HYDRAULIC SITUATION

The Seveso river reached a peak of 2.66 m at 06:50, exceeding the second alert threshold at the via Valfurva station (Milano). The activation of the North-West overflow channel made it possible to contain the incoming flows Milano.

The Bresso rolling tank will be active from 06:30 today. The Lambro river has exceeded the second alert threshold at the via Feltre station (Milano) at approximately 6.10 am and reached a peak of 2,70 m at 7.30 am. The levels of Lake Pusiano are increasing and the second threshold is expected to be exceeded from the central hours of today.

At the moment the discharges of the Pusiano dam are closed to allow the lamination of the flood of the Lambro river.

The Olona river exceeded the second threshold at the Castellanza station (VA) at approximately 3.40 am and at 06 it reached a peak of 30 m.

The Guisa torrent has exceeded the threshold of ordinary criticality at the Arese (MI) station.

During the night, the Arno torrent exceeded the third threshold at the Cavaria con Premezzo (VA) station. The level, at present, is below the second threshold.

MARKLAZIONI FROM THE TERRITORY

MILAN: several floods, due to the regurgitation of the urban drainage networks following the rise in the levels of the Lambro river, in via Vittorini, via Camaldoli and via degli Umiliati (Ponte Lambro area). The underpass in via Pompeo Leoni, in the southern area of ​​the city, is flooded. 3 interventions reported due to falling plants.

Local police were on site, the fire brigade intervened to make two people in a car safe.
Metropolitan city Milano activated 4 teams of Civil Protection volunteers to support the Municipality in managing critical issues in the Ponte Lambro area.

CINISELLO BALSAMO (MI): flooding of the via Cornaggia underpass.

MONZA: the municipal administration has activated the COC (Municipal Operations Center) of Civil Protection.

SITUATION OF WATER COURSES UNDER THE COMPETENCE OF AIPO (Interregional Po River Agency)

OLONA (VA – MI) – The Ponte Gurone dam is flooding the Olona, ​​slightly mitigated by the flooding of the small basin on Via Friuli in Varese.
Currently, a volume of approximately 450.000 mXNUMX is estimated.

In the downstream section, in the provinces of Varese and Milano, upstream from Legnano, local flooding was recorded, but without significant problems, even if the local contributions of the urban drainage network remain significant.

The peak of the flood has already passed also upstream of the Rho manhole, and the levels are decreasing, also thanks to the involvement of the construction site of the San Vittore Olona basin, the partial discharge into the North West Spillway Canal (CSNO - Olona branch ) and of the Bozzente basin (tributary of the Olona in Rho).

Even on the Lura stream - a tributary of the Olona - the lamination tank has filled the flood flow and the situation is currently under control.

ARNO (VA) – The watercourse is in flood and the Gallarate tank has been activated, with still volume available. The Rile and Tenore tanks were also activated.

SEVESO – TERRO' CERTESA – The situation is rapidly evolving due to the irregular nature of the rainfall.

The floodplain areas of the mountains in the province of Como were only partially affected due to the lower rainfall in the upper part of the basin.

The part of the basin downstream of the Terrò confluence is contributing most to the Seveso flood towards Milano, also in relation to the high density of urbanization.

The North West drainage canal has been operating at full capacity since yesterday evening, fed both by the Seveso and by all the other waterways that flow along it (Pudiga, Garbogera, Groane). Hydraulic maneuvers are underway to distribute the flows coming from Olona and Seveso both towards Ticino and towards southern Lambro.
It was promptly activated this morning to protect the neighborhoods of Milano the lamination tank Milano – North Park.

LAMBRO – The Lambro flood also developed in the southern part of the basin, due to the water supplies caused by the density of urbanisation. To the north, the Cavo Diotti has been closed and Lake Pusiano is slowly growing, substantially contributing to laminating the flows of the Lambro as well as the Inverigo basin.

The Costa Masnaga basin (Cava di Brenno) is not activated as there are not sufficient inflows to exceed the fixed threshold.