ROME, July 26 -- Central and southern Italy are grappling with a severe water shortage, with agricultural supplies projected to last only three more weeks, according to local authorities and media reports.

The most critical situations are in Abruzzo, Apulia, and Sicily. Other regions, including Campania, Basilicata, Calabria, and Sardinia, are also depleting their reserves, reported Italy's National Association of the Agricultural Water Board (ANBI).

"Three more weeks, and there will be no more water available for agriculture in central and southern Italy," ANBI warned.

One particularly dire situation is at the Occhito reservoir, a vital source for Apulia's farming and drinking water, which has dropped by over 15 million cubic meters in just eight days.

Sicily is also facing extreme shortages. Earlier this month, local authorities advised tourists to consider alternative destinations due to the water crisis. According to state-run Rai News 24, as of July 26, six out of 29 reservoirs on the island no longer have usable water.

In Sardinia, dams are holding 1,048 million cubic meters of water, only 57 percent of their authorized volume, leading to rationing and interruptions in affected regions, according to ANBI.

This water crisis coincides with Italy anticipating a record tourist year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels from 2018 and 2019.

  - Xinhua