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Mama Mia! The Venice Canals Are Running Dry. Low tides are making it impossible for gondolas to pass through some of the famous Italian canals.

By Jonathan Small

Venice, Italy, is known for its intricate system of canals, which are famously navigated by gondolas and water taxis.

But a series of unfortunate weather conditions have left many of these canals low and dry.

A drought, a high-pressure system, and sea currents have caused the usually overflowing canals to be almost empty, wreaking havoc on the city's transportation system.

The drought is caused by higher-than-usual temperatures, little rainfall, and less snow than usual in the North.

"We are in a water deficit situation that has been building up since the winter of 2020-2021," climate expert Massimiliano Pasqui of the Italian scientific research institute CNR told the newspaper Corriere della Sera. "We need 50 days of rain."

Related: Avoid Traveling to These Places If You Want to Help the Environment

Photo by Stefano Mazzola/Getty Images

Grounded gondolas

The results of the low water levels can be seen all over Venice. Photos show gondolas, usually navigating through the water piloted by gondoliers, grounded in mud puddles.

And it's not just the tourists who are suffering. Reuters reported that water ambulances, which form part of the city's emergency services, could also not access some routes.

The good news: The latest weather forecasts say much-needed precipitation and snow is expected in the Northern Alps soon, which supplies Venice with water.

Jonathan Small

Entrepreneur Staff

Founder, Strike Fire Productions

Jonathan Small is a bestselling author, journalist, producer, and podcast host. For 25 years, he has worked as a sought-after storyteller for top media companies such as The New York Times, Hearst, Entrepreneur, and Condé Nast. He has held executive roles at Glamour, Fitness, and Entrepreneur and regularly contributes to The New York Times, TV Guide, Cosmo, Details, Maxim, and Good Housekeeping. He is the former “Jake” advice columnist for Glamour magazine and the “Guy Guru” at Cosmo.

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