FLOODS
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High waters peaked at 1.87 metres as the flood alarm sounded across the Italian city of canals

The mayor of Venice is poised to declare a state of emergency after the city was hit by the highest tide in more than 50 years, with another surge expected to cause further destruction on Wednesday.





Flooding in the lagoon city reached the second-highest level ever in the wake of the "aqua alta", or high waters, which hit 1.87 metres on Tuesday night amid heavy rain. La Stampa reported that two people had died. One elderly man was electrocuted after his home was flooded, causing a short circuit, on the island of Pellestrina, and the body of another man was found in his home.


More than 85% of the city was flooded on Tuesday night. The highest level ever recorded was 1.98 metres (78 in) in 1966. A further wave is expected to reach 1.60 metres on Wednesday, Ansa reported.