Gargnano Faces Flood Threat as Wind and Waves Overwhelm Barriers

Sacks, sacks, and more sacks of sand. Even Gargnano is on the frontline. But despite the barrier along the lakeside promenade, water entered the town early yesterday morning, driven by the Peler wind. The Volontari del Garda (Volunteers of Garda) intervened with water pumps to empty part of the Zanardelli lakeside and the basements. The water inundated the municipal police station and the Centomiglia bar, but spared the pharmacy, the Azzurra bar, and the Miralago thanks to barriers and a hastily built low wall. The Albergo Gargnano, which faces the port since 1901, also was at risk of flooding. The owners, assisted by municipal workers and volunteers, erected a barrier with sacks of sand. However, in the early afternoon, the waves started surpassing the barriers.

Protection efforts and historical context

In Piazza Roma, under the porch of the old Municipality, work continued with shovels and sacks. By 11 a.m. yesterday, 50 tons of sand had already been used. Shopkeepers along the main street placed barriers in front of their doors and closed off the alleys leading to the lake. At 3 p.m., the wind began to blow strongly. “Hopefully, the Ander (south wind) doesn’t come,” some commented, worried, as they looked toward Monte Pizzocolo and Monte Baldo dusted with snow.

Comments also touched upon history. Attilio Medici recalled the floods of 1950 and 1961: “I was walking around town with the small canoe” (canoe). Doriano Gaspari, a historian of the town, talked about the Vent de Balì (Balì wind) and the landslide of ’73 along the road to San Giacomo, “with the family evacuated at 11 p.m.” Memories also of when the lakeside was on a slope, and water flowed downhill.

What is happening in Gargnano right now is definitely extraordinary. The situation is linked to heavy rains and pointed at those who, out of necessity, opened the Valvestino dam and drained the Adige river into Lake Garda. Nonetheless, around sixty people worked all day trying to contain the lake. Great effort was also made by the municipality: Mayor Roscia kept the situation under control Friday night.

Yesterday morning, the mayor was present in the town. Assessori Filippini, Arosio, Festa, and Mascher, along with the police chief Daniele Tonincelli—also responsible for Civil Protection—worked tirelessly, with Tonincelli staying awake for two consecutive nights. “We’re not only concerned about the lake,” the commander emphasized, “but also about the mountain. This morning, landslides were reported along the road to Briano, toward Costa, and at San Rocco di Muslone. Fortunately, the rain is easing,” he added.

While watching the lake, one wave overtook the sandbag barrier, and others lifted the wooden pier. Tourists from Germany took photos; Gargnano residents filled sandbags. Franco Mondini