Regional Mountain Conference

This study demonstrates how systematically managed qualitative data can support informed drought risk reduction and adaptation planning. For the period since 2000, Temporal and spatial information on hydrological drought impacts in north-western Italy was collected from national and local newspapers covering Lombardy, Aosta Valley, Piedmont and Liguria. Five major drought events were identified (2003, 2006, 2012, 2017, and 2022), with impacts often extending beyond the calendar year used for event identification.

2,758 drought impact records are registered in design which ensures accessibility through standardization within the European Drought Impacts Database (EDID), georeferenced entries, and full traceability from qualitative descriptions to quantitative data.

Results exhibit a comprehensive overview of drought impact chains in Italian Alpine environments. Agriculture, energy production and restrictions on public water use are the overall the most frequently affected (EDID) categories. Spatial analyses reveal strong geographic variability among events, and altitude ranges of impact records highlight the sensitivity of the Alpine foothill.

Comparisons with climatic indices identify that precipitation anomalies at 12‑ and 24‑month timescales are not sufficient to explain the spatial observed impact patterns. In contrast, cumulative vapor pressure deficit during the driest months shows a strong correspondence with impact locations. In snow-dominated basins, winter snow accumulation emerges as a key driver of subsequent drought impacts, clearly delineating the Alpine arc.

Among all events, the 2022 drought stands out as the most severe, with the widest spatial extent and longest persistence of impacts across sectors. Overall, the analysis of past georeferenced drought impacts strengthens preparedness for future droughts, which are expected to increase in frequency and severity.