Italy: Aerial view reveals severe drying of Po River in Italy.

SHOTLIST: CREMONA, ITALY (AUG. 12, 2026) 1. VARIOUS AERIAL SHOTS OF PO RIVER WITH WATER RECEDEDCREMONA, ITALY — AUG. 12, 2026: The aerial footage captured on Wednesday, Aug. 12, shows the drastic drying of the Po River near Cremona, Italy, where the river has receded for kilometers along its banks. Italy's Po River is facing an "extreme drought" crisis as persistent high temperatures and a prolonged lack of rainfall continue to drain water reserves across the country’s largest river basin. The Permanent Observatory on Water Use of the Po River Hydrographic District has confirmed that water conditions remain at a "high severity" level, warning that the ongoing heat wave is placing further stress on already limited supplies, ANSA news agency reported on Thursday. "Persistent high temperatures are stressing the last remaining water reserves, namely the large pre-Alpine lakes," Alessandro Delpiano, secretary-general of the River Basin Authority, said. "The emergency continues, and there is no end in sight," he added. The Po River, which supports major agricultural and industrial areas in northern Italy, is experiencing flows below seasonal low-water levels. The crisis is also affecting major lakes that feed the river system. Water levels in the large pre-Alpine lakes have been declining since the second week of June, with Lake Maggiore facing the most severe conditions. Lake Como and Lake Iseo are also experiencing critical conditions, with Lake Iseo reaching levels associated with "extreme drought." The storms may provide temporary relief by lowering temperatures from around 39-40C (102-104F) to 35-36C. However, meteorologists expect the African anticyclone to return after the brief break, bringing renewed hot and sunny conditions across much of Italy during mid-August.