Sicily's Slippery Slope: Town on the Brink After Massive Landslide

A Town on the Edge

Sicily is facing a huge problem. A massive landslide has left many homes hanging on the edge of a cliff. This disaster followed days of heavy rain from a cyclone.

• Over 1,500 people had to evacuate their homes quickly.
• The landslide in Niscemi, a town in southwest Sicily, is 4 kilometers long.
• Pictures show cars and buildings falling 20 meters down a newly formed cliff.
• Many homes are still dangerously close to the edge.

Government Response

• The government has set up a "no go zone" that's 150 meters wide to keep people safe.
• The head of civil protection warned that the whole hill is sliding down.
• Some houses are no longer habitable.
• The government is working to find new homes for displaced families.

State of Emergency Declared

• The Italian government has declared a state of emergency.
• They have allocated 100 million euros for relief.
• However, the total damage is estimated at 2 billion euros.
• The prime minister visited the area and promised more help is coming.
• She assured that they will find new homes for people and repair roads, utilities, and schools.

A History of Disaster

• This is not the first time this has happened.
• Niscemi is built on sand and clay, which become very wet in heavy rain.
• A big landslide occurred here in 1997.
• Now, it's happening again, but worse.
• The landslide is still moving, making it hard to know how to fix it.

Questions and Concerns

• People are asking why buildings were allowed in this area.
• The land is known for landslides.
• The regional president acknowledged the question but focused on helping people now.
• The situation is serious and still evolving.