Some of Venice’s Canals Are Nearly Dried Up From Low Tide

Severe low tides in recent days are threatening the levels of Venice’s 150 canals, stranding water taxis and gondolas and complicating the city’s emergency services, which rely on ambulance boats.

While weather experts say the extraordinarily low water flows are not a direct result of the drought that has affected the region over the last several months, a lack of rain has exacerbated the tidal situation, with canal levels not expected to rise until at least Tuesday, according to the Centro Maree forecast center.