Italy’s largest lake wilts in Europe’s heatwave

Lake Garda is losing 2cm of water a day

Lake Garda, in Italy, pictured on 12 August (AP)

It is the largest lake in Italy, mythologised by the Romans and the Germans, and a magnet for tourists and modern-day celebrities.

But Italy’s worst drought in decades has reduced water levels at Lake Garda to nearly their lowest ever level.

Heatwave and drought conditions have been widespread across Europe this summer, but Italy has suffered more than most. Its biggest River, the Po, has dried up across vast stretches.