Po river choked by algae bloom as Italy battles heat and navigability woes

No Comment Video. Po river choked by algae bloom as Italy battles heat and navigability woes Copy/paste the link below: Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Updated: 15/07/2026 - 17:59 GMT+2 Italy is stepping up efforts to clear thick algae from the River Po in Turin after weeks of high temperatures accelerated its spread along the country’s longest river. On 15 July, municipal teams used an excavator mounted on a barge to lift large mats of vegetation from the water near the Vittorio Emanuele I Bridge. The operation is aimed at keeping the river navigable and usable for recreation while limiting disruption on one of northern Italy’s most important waterways. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Rowers continued training despite the dense patches covering parts of the river, while local rowing coach Roberto Romanini said shifting weather patterns were becoming increasingly visible and were making daily conditions more difficult for clubs that use the Po. Officials say the clean-up is also intended to reduce the longer-term impact of the bloom as temperatures remain well above seasonal averages in parts of Italy. The vegetation has transformed stretches of the river into a dense green surface in places, though wildlife is still present, including herons resting on floating algae. Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation as warm weather creates favourable conditions for further growth through the summer. Heatwave Italy Turin river climate change global warming Top stories Now playing Next Po river choked by algae bloom as Italy battles heat and navigability woes Now playing Next Ukraine: Six dead as Russia targets Sumy and Odesa Now playing Next Italy: melting ice statues protest heatwave conditions in Rome Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | July 15th, 2026 – Midday Now playing Next 4th Shusha Global Media Forum: Reporting in a changing world In partnership with Azpromo Now playing Next Most realistic ancient roman faces revealed at Budapest exhibition Now playing Next Gibraltar enters Schengen as border fence comes down under EU-UK treaty Now playing Next Where is the EU's population growing the most? Now playing Next EU says threats against ICC 'unacceptable' as US targets court Now playing Next Solar met 25% of EU power needs in June thanks to quick installations Now playing Next Ukraine at a turning point as Europe steps up support Now playing Next France flaunts firepower and unity with allies at Bastille Day parade Now playing Next Grand Voyager | Exploring Budapest Now playing Next From shopping mall ice rink to Olympic gold: the rise of Kazakh skater Mikhail Shaidorov Now playing Next UK unveils plans for voluntary overnight social media curfew for older teens Now playing Next ‘Once we were like you’: Ancient Roman faces brought back to life in Budapest exhibition ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT No Comment Pygmy hippo in Thailand predicts France vs Argentina World Cup final No Comment French and Spanish fans pack Texas streets ahead World Cup semi-final No Comment Zelenskyy joins Macron and European leaders in Paris for Bastille Day No Comment Spectacular drones and fireworks illuminate Eiffel Tower ahead of Bastille Day The Cube Fact check: US military programme not behind Europe's recent heatwaves Europe Today Cypriot minister defends appointment of EU Cyprus special representative following backlash Economy China's economic growth hits slowest pace in more than three years Europe in Motion Where is the EU's population growing the most? Europe Today 'Food insecurity is on the increase', World Food Programme Director says Europe News Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez says Gibraltar border removal closes 'open wound' Europe Today Europe Today: Ukraine at a turning point as Europe steps up support Europe News Spain confirms 12 foreigners among 13 victims of Los Gallardos wildfire as missing toll rises ADVERTISEMENT Europe News June was deadliest month for Ukraine civilians in over four years, UN monitors say Iran Iran launches strikes on neighbours as Trump threatens to hit power plants Sport Spain spoil Bastille Day party by beating France 2-0 to reach World Cup final 12 minutes with National sovereignty equals 'sending gifts to US and China', former Italian PM Letta tells Euronews Europe News Several reported dead after fire in lift shaft of Brussels construction site Europe in Motion Non-EU citizens most likely to have temporary and part-time work in the bloc Business Line From greenhouses to family businesses, entrepreneurship reshapes rural livelihoods Qatar US-Iran conflict widens after deadly tanker attack in Strait of Hormuz ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT