Italy to declare state of emergency for areas most affected by drought

ROME (Reuters) – Italy will declare a state of emergency for the areas most affected by the drought, the government said in a statement on Monday.

A cabinet meeting on the issue is scheduled for 6 p.m. (1600 GMT), the government said. The declaration of a state of emergency allows the authorities to take decisions more quickly, bypassing the normal legislative procedures.

Several Italian regions have already declared a state of emergency, seeking to free up funds to counter the growing water crisis. Agricultural associations say production is expected to fall this year in key areas.

(Report Angelo Amante; French version Charlotte Lavin, edited by Kate Entringer)