Milan Submerged: Seveso and Lambro Rivers Overflow Amidst Torrential Rains

Torrential Rains Trigger Dual River Overflows

Milan, Italy – Heavy and persistent rainfall has led to the overflow of both the Seveso and Lambro rivers, plunging parts of Milan and the wider Lombardy region into significant flooding. The deluge, which began on Monday, September 22, 2025, and continued into Tuesday, September 23, 2025, has caused widespread disruption, prompting emergency responses and evacuations across the affected areas.

The Seveso River, particularly in the Niguarda area of Milan, burst its banks shortly after 10:00 a.m. on Monday, following more than 200 millimeters of rain across its basin. The Lambro River also reached dangerous levels, overflowing in areas such as Ponte Lambro and Via Vittorini.

Widespread Impact and Emergency Response

The flooding has had a severe impact on daily life and infrastructure:

• Evacuations: Firefighters were forced to evacuate several schools in the Niguarda area, and communities in Lambro Park were also evacuated.
• Traffic and Transport: Roads were submerged, with cars becoming stuck in tunnels. Major arteries like Viale Fulvio Testi and Viale Sarca, connecting Brianza to Milan, were closed, paralyzing traffic in the northern area. Public transport services also experienced disruptions.
• Infrastructure Damage: The Palace of Justice in Milan was flooded, leading to a precautionary electricity cut and suspension of activities. Power outages were reported in areas where substations were submerged.
• Emergency Interventions: Officials reported more than 650 emergency interventions across Lombardy, with over 200 firefighters mobilized. Notable rescues included a mother and her 10-month-old baby saved from the roof of their car in Monza and Brianza province.
• Regional Effects: Beyond Milan, the severe weather triggered landslides in Val Bormida, Liguria, and a German tourist was reported missing in Piedmont.

Recurring Challenge and Mitigation Efforts

The overflow of the Seveso and Lambro rivers is a recurring issue for Milan, a city crossed by several underground rivers. Milan's Civil Protection Councilor, Marco Granelli, urged residents to exercise 'maximum caution' and reported on the situation via social media. He noted that the Lambro flooding was the 'sixth time in 2024' in an earlier report, highlighting the persistent nature of the problem.

Mitigation efforts included the activation of the Senago flood control area (lamination basin) for the Seveso, though it ultimately became full and overflowed. Mobile flood barriers were also deployed for the Lambro, including on Via Vittorini, in an attempt to contain the rising waters.

Outlook and Warnings

Italy's Civil Protection Department issued orange alerts for Lombardy, Veneto, and Lazio, warning of hydrogeological and flood risks. Yellow alerts remained in place across large parts of Piedmont, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Tuscany, Umbria, Abruzzo, Molise, Campania, Sicily, and Sardinia. Authorities advised residents to avoid flood-prone areas, underpasses, and parks, as meteorologists forecast unstable conditions and thunderstorms to persist in central and northern Italy in the coming days.