In Pics | ‘Catastrophic’ floods leave thousands homeless in Italy

Devastating floods have claimed the lives of eight people and left thousands homeless as heavy rains flooded rivers and submerged North Italy's Emilia-Romagna region. Downpours that pounded the region's flatlands over two days caused nearly two dozen rivers to burst their banks, putting vast stretches of territory under water and causing thousands of residents to be evacuated.

Widespread flooding in the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna killed at least eight people and forced another 5,000 to abandon their homes, officials said as rescue efforts continued to assist those stuck on the upper stories of the buildings. Credit: Reuters Photo

Some of the worst-hit areas received almost 20 inches of rain in 36 hours, about half the average annual amount, according to the Italian civil protection minister, Nello Musumeci. Taking into account those figures, “you can understand how powerful this rainfall was,” he said. Credit: IANS Photo

Scenes of dramatic rescues from flooded towns have dominated national news broadcasts over the past two days: helicopters airlifting residents from the roofs of homes submerged in water; rescue workers wading through chest-high waters carrying older people on their backs; volunteers in rubber dinghies transporting residents from their homes as belongings floated from open doors. Credit: IANS Photo

Schools were shuttered, trains in the region were cancelled, and roads and highways were closed as waters swept over large areas of land, submerging fields and some towns. Credit: IANS Photo

Rescuers work in a flooded area in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna region, Italy. Credit: IANS Photo