A gondola is seen tied up in Venice, near the Rialto bridge, on January 31, 2018, as exceptionally low tides have drained the lagoon city.
© VINCENZO PINTO / AFP/ GETTY IMAGESA gondola is seen tied up in Venice, near the Rialto bridge, on January 31, 2018, as exceptionally low tides have drained the lagoon city.
Photographs taken this week show the famed Venetian gondolas helplessly abandoned on the docks, as the low tides caused by Wednesday's 'super blue blood moon' dry up the canals, robbing gondoliers of their money and residents of their transportation.

This is the third year that Venice has experienced record low water levels, with data showing a decrease of up to 60 cm lower than average. Two years ago, the city reported water levels up to 70 cm below normal levels, the lowest ever recorded in city data, according to Express.

Now, with little to no water to supplement the famous Venetian aesthetic, tourists instead get a glimpse of the filth buried at the bottom of the canals, gondolas perched on muddy banks, and canal-side building walls eroded away by the water. This is especially surprising given that studies say the city has been sinking over the past few years, making it prone to various instances of heavy flooding during the year.

However, the Daily Mail reports that alongside low tides, the city has been experiencing cold winter weather, lack of rain and low tides due to the "super blue blood moon" all of which contribute to its dried-up canals.

Venice relies on its growing tourism to counter the effects of its shrinking population. Official census figures show that the city, which once housed a population of over 175,000 has steadily been decreasing, since 1951 , to 155,000 residents.


Comment: Venice is experiencing the lowest water levels since records while other parts of Europe are flooding. We're also seeing some of the darkest months on record. This pattern of extremes, and other bizarre phenomena, is occurring all over the world:

venice water levels
© SplashHowever, the city also regularly faces flooding several times a year. Pictured: A meagre puddle where a mighty canal once flowed
Despite frequent flooding, the water levels in the canals have fallen by almost 60 cm, a record low.
© VINCENZO PINTO / AFP/GETTY IMAGESDespite frequent flooding, the water levels in the canals have fallen by almost 60 cm, a record low.
venice water level
© MARCO SABBADIN / AFPGondolas are seen tied up in Venice Canal Grande, near Rialto bridge, on January 31, 2018, as exceptionally low tides have drained the lagoon city. The unusually low tides caused a record low water measuring around 70 cm which caused problems to the water traffic in the historic center of Venice.
Gondolas are seen tied up in Venice Canal Grande, near Rialto bridge, on January 31, 2018
© VINCENZO PINTO / AFP/GETTY IMAGESGondolas are seen tied up in Venice Canal Grande, near Rialto bridge, on January 31, 2018
Venetian water levels reached their lowest two years ago, which halted water transportation for a day.
© VINCENZO PINTO / AFP/GETTY IMAGESVenetian water levels reached their lowest two years ago, which halted water transportation for a day.
venice water levels