Record heat threatens Emilia's dairy belt as Po River dries in June peak

Italy's longest river, the Po, is running dry as a record heatwave sweeps across Europe, with seawater beginning to intrude inland and threatening the farming heartland that produces the milk for Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. According to the Guardian's reporting on Saturday, Germany and Italy endured sweltering conditions as temperatures broke records above 40 degrees Celsius across the continent, with the weather system linked to dozens of deaths in western Europe.

The World Health Organisation reported on Sunday that over 1,300 excess deaths had been recorded in Europe since June 21 in connection with the heatwave. Most of Italy remained under red alert as the extreme conditions persisted into this week, with relief forecast only for Wednesday. The drought threatens not only water supply for irrigation but also the quality and quantity of milk from dairy herds in Emilia-Romagna, where heat stress reduces lactation and milk composition.