The Flooding Siren @ Venice

On our second night at Venice, the siren suddenly went off around 9pm left alot of occupant worried & wondering. We have been told about the flooding siren & the temporary pavement setup throughout San Marco indicate that there may be flooding that few days. I waited till 10.30pm & I saw water slowly flowing in from the main street. Hope the stalls & shops outside is well prepared.

According to the hotel reception, the sea levels in the romantic Adriatic lagoon city can rise 5ft above normal whenever there's heavy rain or high winds or both. Venice's flooding is no laughing matter. The sea is rising, the city is sinking, and the damage to its historic buildings, bridges and artworks is becoming increasingly apparent. Green algae now grows on the porous brickwork of many of the 14th and 15th century palaces along the Grand Canal because the flooding sea frequently tops the building's waterproof stone foundations.

Being the lowest point in Venice, St Mark's Square used to be flooded about 10 times a year. But now water covers it 100 times a year. After decades of debate and study, the Italian government finally approved a $3 billion project to build 79 enormous hinged gates to separate Venice and its lagoon from the Adriatic Sea.