Italy has declared a state of emergency in five northern regions amid the worst drought in 70 years.
It applies to Emilia-Romagna, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Lombardy, Piedmont and Veneto regions, the government said in a statement.
The move will see €36.5 million allocated to try and deal with the drought.
The valley of the River Po, which produces around 40% of the country's food, including wheat, has barely seen any rainfall for around four months.
The river, Italy's longest, is seven metres below the average.
More than a hundred municipalities in northern Italy have adopted measures to conserve water. Verona and Pisa recently joined them.
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