The prestigious newspaper The New York Times interviewed Francesco Dottori, associate professor of hydrology at the University School for Advanced Studies IUSS Pavia, to discuss the increasing frequency of extreme weather events in the Mediterranean. Dottori emphasized that the coastal areas of the Mediterranean basin have always been prone to extreme precipitation, particularly where mountains are located close to the sea. However, in recent years, the situation has worsened: intense rainfall events have become both more frequent and more severe, causing devastating impacts on local communities.
Scientists warn that climate change is increasing not only the intensity of the Mediterranean’s storms but also their frequency. As Dottori explained, this phenomenon is exacerbated by the rapid urbanization of coastal and floodplain areas, which has significantly reduced space for natural waterways and amplified the impacts of flooding, placing more people in harm’s way. In recent decades, the population of Mediterranean countries has more than doubled since the 1960s. Today, about 250 million people reside in river basins, where flooding is more likely. Despite advancements in flood protection structures and early warning systems, the number of homes and properties affected continues to rise, highlighting the urgent need for measures to mitigate the
effects of climate change.

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