Italians face fines for wasting water as supplies rationed amid drought

Mayors in northern regions turn off taps as country suffers one of its driest winters in 65 years

People living in some northern Italian towns face fines for wasting water as mayors ration supplies amid a severe drought.

Italy has had one of its driest winters in the last 65 years, with rainfall 80% lower than the seasonal average. The situation has been more acute in northern regions, where some areas have been deprived of significant rainfall for three months or more. The Po, the country's longest river, is at its lowest level recorded in winter since 1972.