ItalyFloods LombardyStorms ComoFlooding hydrogeology

Floods and Landslides Sweep Across Northern Italy

*Severe Storms Strike Northern Italy, Causing Floods and Mass Evacuations. Source: Snapshot of TVP World news video*

Northern Italy faced severe flooding and landslides on September 22, 2025, following days of heavy rain. The Seveso River in Milan overflowed its banks, inundating schools and residential neighborhoods. Firefighters used amphibious vehicles to rescue about 300 children stranded in the Niguarda district, while other residents were evacuated from flooded areas. In Monza and Brianza, a mother and her infant were lifted to safety after becoming trapped in their vehicle by rising waters.

In Como, floodwaters engulfed the historic city center, forcing the closure of lakeside roads and sections of the state highway. Authorities deployed helicopters to evacuate residents from upper floors of submerged buildings, while earth-moving units were brought in to clear mudslides that blocked provincial routes.

Italian authorities reported more than 650 emergency interventions across Lombardy alone, with over 200 firefighters mobilized. Civil Protection issued orange alerts for Lombardy, Veneto, and Lazio due to hydrogeological risks, while other regions remained under yellow alerts. In Piedmont, search operations continue for a missing German tourist swept away by flash flooding.

Flooded streets in Como with submerged vehicles and rescue operation underway. Source: Snapshot of TVP World news video

The Lambro River also reached critical levels, requiring the installation of mobile flood barriers to prevent further inundation. Meteorologists warned that unstable conditions will persist, with thunderstorms expected in central and northern Italy. Flood risks remain high, and precautionary closures of underpasses and vulnerable roads have been enforced.

The events highlight the hydrogeological vulnerability of northern Italy, where river overflow, soil saturation, and slope instability frequently lead to landslides. The combination of steep alpine terrain and densely populated valleys increases the risk of rapid debris flows and road blockages. Authorities are now assessing the structural integrity of embankments and urban drainage systems to prevent further failures in the coming days.

Check out the following video for more footage on the severe flooding and landslides sweeping across Northern Italy.