Po River hits historic low as heatwave strains Lombardy farms

Italy's Po River has fallen to historically low levels as the country endures its fourth heatwave of the summer, exposing wide stretches of dry riverbed near Pavia and raising fresh concerns over water supplies and farming across northern Italy, according to Euronews.

The low water levels come just days before the Ferragosto holiday weekend, when forecasters predict highs of 40C across much of the country, according to The Local Italy. The prolonged heat has compounded stress on the Po basin, which irrigates vast tracts of the country's most productive agricultural land.