Cyclone rips Italy with cloudbursts, gales and 'maxi waves'

The extreme weather has interrupted a series of heatwaves in the Bel Paese that have led to breathless and muggy 'afa' and many wildfires, especially in the south of the country, as well as some heatstroke deaths.

The bad weather is now continuing over Italy, especially in the North-East and the entire Tyrrhenian strip, the coastal area in the west of the country.

Widespread squalls have been reported in Sardinia, and maxi waves up to 7 metres in height off the coast of the Mediterranean island.

A landslide in Bisuschio, in the Varesotto (Varese) area, has necessitated the evacuation of four families amid fears for their lives.

Hydrofoils to the Bay of Naples islands of Ischia and Procida have been temporarily stopped due to strong winds and heavy seas.

The MOSE flood barrier system is still action to curb flooding in Venice.

A water bomb with a violent hailstorm hit last night, at about 1.30 a.m., in the province of Lecce, between Montesano, Specchia and Miggiano.

The hail, the size of tennis balls, broke windshields, headlights and the bodywork of parked cars.

Also damaged were the dehors of various bar and restaurant premises where the hail pierced plastic tables and chairs, causing havoc.

Several greenhouses were destroyed and surrounding roads and countryside flooded.