Which neighbourhoods in Milan are at risk of flooding?

It’s Milan, but it looks like Venice. Thanks to climate change and the consequent increasingly extreme atmospheric conditions, every time there’s a weather alert some areas of the Lombard capital end up under water.

The most frightening is the Seveso, the underground river that floods entire neighbourhoods when it overflows, making it impossible to travel by public transport or by car, and sometimes even on foot, as well as flooding houses, garages and cellars causing considerable damage to property.

Why does Milan flood so often?

Milan is not a city on the water. It is in the centre of the Po Valley, a long way from any seas or lakes, and apart from the three canals (the two most famous – Grande and Pavese – to the south and Martesana to the north) it has no rivers or streams. Or does it?

In reality, the city of the Madonnina is crossed by underground rivers that flow beneath the houses, roads and transport networks. The main ones are:

• the Seveso;
• the Olona;
• the Garbogera;
• the Pudiga;
• the Guisa.

The first two in particular cause significant damage (suffice it to say that the floods that occurred between 2010 and 2014 cost the city almost 180 million euros). In addition to these, there is the Lambro, which, unlike the others, flows mainly on the surface.

Why were Milan’s rivers channelled underground?

This process, technically called ‘tombinatura’ (channeling), dates back to the end of the 19th century, when the newly formed Italy ‘imported’ it from France. The aim was to increase the amount of buildable space, but in doing so the risk of flooding was also increased, since the channeled waterways are diverted and funneled into confined spaces, unable to contain the water when a flood occurs.

Legambiente’s report on the neighbourhoods of Milan at risk of flooding

Legambiente drew up a map of the Milanese neighbourhoods most at risk of flooding. At the beginning of 2023, it compiled a report taking into account the areas where, in the last 12 years, there have been at least 20 floods.

The result is as follows:

• Parco Lambro;
• Lambrate-Rubattino;
• Ortica;
• Viale Marche and Cascina Merlata;
• Niguarda, Bicocca and Parco Nord;
• Isola and Garibaldi.

Article translated by Jasmina Towers

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Parks and Nature

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