Water crisis forces temporary halt on tourist arrivals at Capri island

The mayor of Capri, a popular Italian island, declared a water emergency, leading to a temporary halt in tourist arrivals due to a lack of water supply in some areas. Mayor Paolo Falco emphasized the critical need for water to ensure essential services for the thousands of daily visitors during the tourist season. The crisis stemmed from a failure in the mainland's water system that normally provides water to the island, with some parts of Anacapri already experiencing water shortages. Local reservoirs are currently sustaining water supply, but there is a risk of depletion without mainland support. To address the situation, tanks are en route to the island to bolster essential services until full supply is restored. The mayor's order, issued early in the morning, immediately stopped ticket sales for ferries to Capri, causing congestion at ticket offices in Naples, the main departure point. Maritime authorities instructed ferries and hydrofoils en route to Capri to return to port and disembark passengers. The move aims to prevent further strain on the island's limited water resources and maintain public health and hygiene standards. The crisis unit has been activated to manage the emergency and implement necessary measures to address the water shortage effectively. The water crisis on Capri underscores the vulnerability of the island's infrastructure and the reliance on external water sources. The disruption highlights the importance of a stable water supply for sustaining tourism and essential services. The local authorities are working to secure additional water resources and restore normalcy to the island as swiftly as possible. The situation serves as a reminder of the fragility of essential services in popular tourist destinations and the need for proactive measures to prevent similar emergencies in the future.