Where’s the water GON-DOLA? Venice's iconic canals run DRY after weeks without rain | World | News | Express.co.uk

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A fmous scene in Venice looks unrecognisable as the canals run dry

The problem is so bad that in many old houses, the former staircases used to unload goods are now flooded and former ground floor is deluged and useless. 

Studies have indicated the city is sinking at a rate of 1-2mm a year. 

In 2003 an engineering project to prevent flooding was started to raise mobile gates to separate the lagoon from the Adriatic sea when the water is too high.

In 2015 water levels were as much as 28 inches below normal levels.

Tourists were shocked by the lack of water in the famous city.

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Despite the tourism boom, Venice’s population has shrunk from 175,000 in 151 to around 55,000.

High prices, driven by tourism, erosion of canal side buildings and the logistics of a carless city have been blamed for the fall in residents.

Many Venetians now live on the mainland and commute to the historic city - usually to work in the tourism sector.

Venice’s record low was set in 1934, when the tide was four feet below average.

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