Sardinia is gripped by extreme weather: hail and downpours in the south, but fires continue to rage.

Fires and high temperatures , but also very strong hailstorms with wind gusts of up to 70 km/h and uprooted trees and poles : these are the two faces of the extreme weather that the island has been facing since yesterday.

While on the one hand the scorching heat is fueling forest fires , on the other hand violent storms are hitting the inland areas of Sardinia with the regional Civil Protection department busy dealing with a scenario of multi-risk phenomena with few precedents this season.

Today, heavy rain fell across the Marmilla region, already battered yesterday by severe weather, as well as across Parteolla . Hail fell in Sinnai and Gesico , causing damage to vegetable gardens and vineyards. Gesico Mayor Terenzio Schirru reported the event to the relevant authorities and requested that the necessary procedures be activated to declare a state of natural disaster, in support of the numerous affected businesses.

In Villanovafranca, trees and poles were downed by a heavy downpour, which also caused damage to the roofs of several municipal buildings. Firefighters are on site to secure the affected areas and limit disruption to the public. No injuries have been reported so far, but the situation remains under constant monitoring.

Rain and hail also fell in Siddi , where a state of natural disaster has already been declared.

In the north of the island, fires continue, with flames erupting in the last few hours in Calangianus and Mores . Today, however, a blaze in Gonnosfanadiga also put the firefighting machine to the test, requiring the intervention of two helicopters .

The Civil Protection Department has issued two yellow alert bulletins for today: one for the risk of hydrogeological damage due to storms, the other for the risk of fires.

"For several days, we have been carefully managing the multi-risk situation affecting Sardinia," explains Mauro Merella, Director General of the Regional Civil Protection Department. "We are experiencing the simultaneous presence of high temperatures, locally intense thunderstorms, and conditions favorable for forest fires. We urge both institutions and citizens to exercise the utmost caution."

(Unioneonline)