Switzerland is opening the taps on Lake Lugano to help prop up Lake Maggiore. It is an emergency solution that, more than any set of figures, shows how sensitive the water situation in northern Italy has become: more water will be released from the Ceresio towards Ponte Tresa, with the aim of supporting the level of Lake Maggiore and, above all, guaranteeing supplies for the rice fields on the plain.
The discharge will rise from the current 3 to 8 cubic metres per second. The two lakes are connected and a significant share of the extra water will flow into Lake Maggiore.
