Sicilian Town Teeters on Brink as Cyclone Harry Triggers Massive Landslide
The picturesque hilltop town of Niscemi in southern Sicily is facing an unprecedented crisis, with its very foundations threatened by a dramatic and expanding landslide triggered by the ferocious Cyclone Harry. Local authorities have described the situation as "dire" as a 4km-long chasm continues to widen, placing hundreds of homes in immediate peril and forcing the evacuation of approximately 1,500 residents.
"The Situation is Dire": Mayor's Grave Warning
Massimiliano Conti, the mayor of Niscemi, has issued urgent appeals for caution, stating emphatically in a social media video, "I don't want anyone to take this event lightly." He confirmed that while there have been no reported injuries, significant damage to properties has occurred. The landslide, which first showed signs of movement on Sunday, has developed into a formidable front that dropped by another 10 metres on Tuesday morning alone.
"From aerial images, it was shocking to see our Niscemi collapsing," Conti told La Repubblica, adding that the continuous creaking of the earth and ongoing rainfall are severely hampering both relief operations and technical assessments. The mayor expressed profound fear for the community, warning that the town risks being cut off entirely as the situation remains volatile and could change at any moment.
Immediate Evacuations and Structural Collapse Fears
Salvatore Cocina, director general of Sicily's civil protection authority, delivered a stark prognosis on Monday night, indicating that all homes within a 50-70 metre radius of the landslide are expected to collapse. Distressing images and videos have emerged showing residences teetering on the very edge of the newly formed cliff, with their structural integrity critically compromised.
Of Niscemi's population of around 25,000, those evacuated have primarily sought refuge with relatives, though hundreds have spent consecutive nights sheltering in a local sports arena. Critical infrastructure has been disrupted, with schools remaining closed and a key road linking Niscemi to the coastal city of Gela shut down indefinitely.
Cyclone Harry's Devastating Impact Across Southern Italy
The landslide catastrophe is part of the wider devastation wrought by Cyclone Harry, which battered southern regions of Italy last week with relentless rainfall and waves reaching heights of up to 9 metres. The storm has caused extensive damage to roads, coastal defences, and beach resorts across Sicily, Calabria, and Sardinia.
In response to the emergency, the Italian government declared a state of emergency on Monday, allocating an initial €100 million to address the most pressing needs in the hardest-hit areas. Civil Protection Minister Nello Musumeci announced that a new interministerial measure will soon be adopted to facilitate the restoration and reconstruction of damaged infrastructure.
The financial toll is staggering, with preliminary estimates suggesting damage exceeding €1 billion nationwide. Sicily alone has suffered approximately €740 million in losses, though the island's president, Renato Schifani, cautioned that the final figure could potentially double as assessments continue.
As relief efforts persist under challenging conditions, the community of Niscemi remains on high alert, with authorities monitoring the unstable hillside around the clock in a desperate bid to prevent further catastrophe.
