Rome facing water rationing as Italy suffers driest spring for 60 years

Rainfalls 80% below normal have affected farming across the country and could result in the capital's famous fountains being turned off

Scarce rain and chronically leaky aqueducts have combined to put Romans at risk of drastic water rationing as soon as this week.

Sky TG24 TV meteorologists noted on Sunday that Italy had experienced one of its driest springs in some 60 years and that some parts of the country had seen rainfall totals 80% below normal. Among the hardest-hit regions was Sardinia, which is seeking natural disaster status.