inp.polri.go.id - Northern Italy has been hit by the worst drought since seven decades. The country also declared a drought emergency status on Monday (4/7). AFP reported that the Italian cabinet approved the declaration of a state of emergency in five regions of the country until December 31. The five regions consist of Friuli-Romagna, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lombardy, Piedmont and Veneto. The declared state of emergency gives the government "extraordinary powers and obligations". This authority includes providing compensation to the affected people, while guaranteeing normal living conditions for the people living in the vicinity of the affected areas. With this declaration of emergency status, the government disbursed 36.5 million euros or equivalent to Rp565 billion to help people affected by the drought. Italy is suffocating from drought due to a heatwave and how low the rainfall in the country, especially in the Po Valley, which is a major agricultural region. EuroNews reports this is the worst drought in and around the Po Valley since 1952. Referring to data from the largest agricultural union in Italy, Coldiretti, this drought threatens more than 30% of agricultural products, and half the plantations in the Po Valley. Not only that, the water level in Lake Maggiore and Garda also reached its lowest point. The Tiber River is also experiencing water depletion. In the midst of this drought, the authorities in several areas began to search for solutions. The city of Verona, for example, has started to regulate the use of drinking water. Meanwhile, the Milan government announced it would close the fountains that have been part of tourist attraction in the city. Furthermore, this drought also has an impact on energy production in Italy. So far, 20% of the country's power is hydroelectric, a form of energy that comes from moving water.