More floods swamp Venice just 11 days after highest water levels in 50 years killed two people

Venice has continued to be swamped by floods this weekend just 11 days after the city’s highest water levels in 50 years killed two people and caused chaos.  

New images show the floods continuing to plague the city as people wade through the streets and try to salvage their businesses as residents braced themselves for another, though smaller, high tide today. 

It comes after UNESCO representatives earlier this week warned the city could lose its status as a World Heritage Site if it does not adequately protect itself from worsening flooding.

Key buildings which are within the World Heritage area are threatened due to the high water levels. 

Municipal workers set up a footbridge for pedestrians on the flooded St. Mark’s Square, by St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, Italy today

New images show the floods continuing to plague the city as people wade through the streets and try to salvage their businesses

New images show the floods continuing to plague the city as people wade through the streets and try to salvage their businesses

Tourists and locals walk near the Piazza San Marco in Venice today. The city suffered heavy damage when floodwaters reached one of the highest levels in more than 50 years this month

Tourists and locals walk near the Piazza San Marco in Venice today. The city suffered heavy damage when floodwaters reached one of the highest levels in more than 50 years this month

Venice suffered heavy damage when floodwaters reached one of the highest levels in more than 50 years this month.

An elderly local man from Pellestrina, one of the many islands in the Venetian lagoon, died when he was struck by lightning while using an electric water pump, the fire brigade said. The body of another man was found in his home. 

The city’s historic Saint Mark’s Basilica will need millions of euros of restoration work after its delicate marble mosaics were exposed to destructive salt water, its curator said.

Such damage is expected to worsen in years to come as climate change drives rising seas and more frequent inundations of the city’s small islands, set within a saltwater lagoon, heritage experts say. 

The city's historic Saint Mark's Basilica (pictured) will need millions of euros of restoration work after its delicate marble mosaics were exposed to destructive salt water, its curator said

The city’s historic Saint Mark’s Basilica (pictured) will need millions of euros of restoration work after its delicate marble mosaics were exposed to destructive salt water, its curator said

More than 85% of Venice was flooded this month, authorities said, including the historic St Mark’s basilica in the centre of the city

More than 85% of Venice was flooded this month, authorities said, including the historic St Mark’s basilica in the centre of the city

Churches, shops and homes have also been inundated in the city, a Unesco world heritage site. Pictured: People walk across the flooded St. Mark's Square by the Bell Tower

Churches, shops and homes have also been inundated in the city, a Unesco world heritage site. Pictured: People walk across the flooded St. Mark’s Square by the Bell Tower

People walk in a flooded street during a period of seasonal high water in Venice, Italy today. Many businesses have had to close down

People walk in a flooded street during a period of seasonal high water in Venice, Italy today. Many businesses have had to close down

Hotels reported cancelled reservations, some as far ahead as December, after the widespread sharing of images of the city underwater

Hotels reported cancelled reservations, some as far ahead as December, after the widespread sharing of images of the city underwater

Tourists and locals walk near the Rialto Bridge at night as they try their best to carry on with normal life after the devastation

Tourists and locals walk near the Rialto Bridge at night as they try their best to carry on with normal life after the devastation

With Venice facing more frequent flooding, a UNESCO advisory mission to the city has been planned for 2020, with the World Heritage Centre preparing to dispatch experts to work with the city to assess what needs to be done. 

The city is revered as an architectural masterpiece and has one of the highest concentrations of famed art and architecture in the world, according to the heritage centre’s website.

Its 118 small islands and lagoon were designed a World Heritage Site in 1987.

A man outside the Caffe Quadri in flooded St. Mark's Square during a period of seasonal high water in Venice, Italy today

A man outside the Caffe Quadri in flooded St. Mark’s Square during a period of seasonal high water in Venice, Italy today

Tourists take photos on the flooded St. Mark's Square, by the Bell Tower and St. Mark's Basilica

Tourists take photos on the flooded St. Mark’s Square, by the Bell Tower and St. Mark’s Basilica

A worker walks in a flooded St. Mark's Square during a period of seasonal high water in Venice, Italy

A worker walks in a flooded St. Mark’s Square during a period of seasonal high water in Venice, Italy

While the Italian city regularly experiences flooding in autumn and winter, recent floods, which peaked at six feet (1.8 metres) above sea level, are a clear indication of worsening climate change, experts have said. 

Scientists added that global warming causes rising sea levels and more extreme weather events, from heavier rain and storms to stronger winds that can push water toward the lagoon.  

Venice has since 2003 worked on installing a system of flood protection gates called MOSE – the Experimental Electromechanical Module.

But the project, intended to keep high tides and other floodwaters out of the lagoon, has bogged down in a myriad of problems. 

The worst recorded flooding to hit Venice came in 1966, when 6.4 feet (1.9 metres) swept into the city. 

After that, UNESCO launched an International Safeguarding Campaign and undertook work to restore and repair artworks and monuments.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk