Garda Flooding Risks Persist as Sirmione and Desenzano Face Rising Waters

The risk of flooding at Garda in the southern area of the lake is not entirely avoided. Sirmione remains among the most affected locations, but since yesterday, the lakeside promenade in Desenzano has also felt some danger.

Interventions and current situation

The nightmare is the wind. Yesterday morning, around 6 a.m., gusts of wind—not violent, luckily—caused flooding in the historic center of Sirmione, leading to the complete closure of Lungolago Diaz and the basements of hotels and residences on the western part of the peninsula.

The piers at Galeazzi and Lugana ports are now submerged. The Castello port is still holding by a few centimeters. All boats have been removed by their owners in recent days; only those of professional fishermen remain moored, but with considerable concern.

Flooding has also occurred in Lugana, with even the basements of Civil Protection being flooded by Garda water. The water has already penetrated many garages and basements of some residences and condominiums along Viale Verona (the main road). Yesterday, the hydrometer in Sirmione registered »177 above zero.

The large Monte Baldo parking lot remains inaccessible, and now public venues and hotels on the eastern side of the peninsula are also trembling. However, as assured by Dr. Gabriele Busti, coordinator of the inter-municipal emergency service, all rescue personnel and equipment—including the Red Cross and Alpini—are on continuous alert.

Situation in Desenzano

In Desenzano, the Mayer hotel, located facing the Navigarda ferry terminal, is threatened by water: it is being protected by dozens of sandbags, as are the Park Hotel and houses along Lungolago Battisti.