The Emilia-Romagna area and eastern regions of northern Italy were hit hard by unusual, torrential rains that caused floods and landslides, killing fourteen people and forcing hundreds more to flee their homes.
Nello Musumeci, the Minister of Civil Protection, claimed that some places had experienced half their typical yearly rainfall in just 36 hours. As reported by the news agency Reuters, rivers burst their banks, flooding cities and covering hundreds of acres of farmland.
This calamity is the most recent example of the increasingly destructive storms and extreme weather that are plaguing the world as a result of the climate issue.
Pope Expresses Deep Sympathies
In a telegram of condolences, Pope Francis expressed his deep sorrow for those in pain and those impacted by the severe weather in Emilia Romagna, particularly the eastern districts. Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra, the Vatican's Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State, delivered it on his behalf to Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi, Archbishop of Bologna and President of the Italian Episcopal Conference, on Thursday.
The Holy Father urged the Cardinal to express his deepest sympathies to the loved ones of those who perished in the calamity that rocked the region.
The Pope invoked God's comfort for the injured and sympathy for those who are experiencing the effects of the tragedy while assuring them of his sincere prayers for the deceased and his condolences to their families.
Pope Francis extended his appreciation to everyone trying to end human suffering despite severe hardship. He also thanked the diocesan communities for showing fraternal and communal solidarity to the most vulnerable populations.
In a final gesture of spiritual intimacy, the Holy Father blessed everyone with his Apostolic Blessing. Additionally, he expressed Cardinal Pietro Parolin's prayers, the Vatican's secretary of state.
Caritas: Helping Hand To All the Affected
Caritas has been assisting the suffering with humanitarian activities on the ground.
In a statement released on Thursday, Father Marco Pagniello, Director of Caritas Italiana, stated that they are working with Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi and the Bishops of the most affected Dioceses to get an updated picture of the situation and to jointly identify the first needs that need to be addressed.
The statement said that the diocesan Caritas directors in the worst-affected regions, including Cesena, Forl, Faenza, and Imola, describe a chaotic scenario in which it is necessary to remove water and clean homes that have been submerged in mud.
Mario Galasso, a regional delegate, issued a warning that numerous diocesan buildings, including shops and soup kitchens, had also been affected by the floods.
Despite this, he claimed, the various diocesan and parish Caritas are already hosting families and providing them with the most basic necessities, such as drinking water, blankets, and other items, and they will keep working on these tasks in the days to come.
Increasing Climatic Disasters
Numerous climatic disasters are killing many people and wreaking havoc around the world at the same time as the devastating Italian rains.
At least six people were killed and hundreds were injured when powerful Cyclone Mocha struck earlier this week between the port cities of Sittwe in Myanmar and Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh, which is home to nearly one million primarily Rohingya refugees. The storm also caused a significant communications blackout, which has made it difficult for relief workers to determine the extent of the damage.
Lazarus Chakwer, the president of Malawi, announced in April that more than 1000 people have died in Malawi as a result of tropical cyclone Freddy.