(Image: Getty Images)
Foreign Office warns UK tourists as holiday destination evacuated due to ‘severe’ conditions
by Liv Clarke · Manchester Evening NewsThe UK Foreign Office has released an official warning as ‘severe’ floods hit northern Italy. Holidaymakers planning to travel to the Emilia-Romagna region are urged to check before they travel due to the conditions.
It comes after around 1,000 residents were evacuated from the region due to the floods after the region was hit by torrential rains on Wednesday night. Three of the regions provinces - Ravenna, Bologna and Faenza - have been flooded, with residents told to stay in the upper floors or leave their houses.
Trains in the region have been suspended, although some lines have been able to reopen, while Brits are warned by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of ‘risks’ near riverbanks and areas affected by flooding.
READ MORE: Severe floods cause destruction across five European countries with Italy now affected
Releasing a travel update for Italy, the FCDO said: “Severe flooding is currently affecting the region of Emilia-Romagna. There can be risks around riverbanks, green areas affected by flooding and stagnant water. The rail services between Faenza and Forli and Porto Maggiore and Ravenna are suspended.
(Image: Getty Images)
“The website of Ferrovie dello Stato has more information. Check with your tour operator or accommodation provider before you travel and follow the instructions of local authorities. The website of the Civil Protection Department has further information (in Italian only).”
In an update as of 9am local time on September 20, the Italian railway network RFI said that some lines have reopened: “On the Castel Bolognese - Ravenna line – rail traffic remains suspended between Lugo and Russi, suspended following the wave of bad weather affecting the region. The improvement of weather conditions in the area and the checks on the infrastructure carried out with positive results by the technical teams of Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (FS Italiane Group) have allowed the service to restart.
From 4:50 on the Ferrara – Ravenna line: circulation has been reactivated between Portomaggiore and Ravenna. Further information on the railway companies' websites. Rete Ferroviaria Italiana technicians are working to monitor the infrastructure and carry out the necessary interventions to reopen the lines that are still closed.”
Other countries in central Europe have been hit by severe flooding since torrential rain affected the region last week. Poland, Hungary and the Czech republic have all experienced severe flooding, with the death toll standing at 24 as of yesterday.