The first real wave of bad autumn weather hit the Oristano area hard, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
A tornado accompanied by heavy rain hit the countryside of San Nicolò d'Arcidano yesterday evening, seriously damaging several farms in the area.
Fruit and vegetable businesses, the heart of the local economy, were particularly hard hit by the fury of the wind and hail. Among the hardest hit was Naturalis, a company affiliated with Coldiretti Oristano, where gusts blew the roofs off entire greenhouses, destroying structures and equipment and compromising much of the seasonal fruit and vegetable production.
"A desolate scene," workers describe: roofs blown away, trees felled, and equipment irreparably damaged. The damage, still being assessed, promises to be significant, both economically and productively.
Given the gravity of the situation, Coldiretti Oristano has expressed its solidarity with the affected businesses and initiated monitoring of the damaged areas. "We stand with our members and all the businesses affected by the severe weather," stated President Paolo Corrias. "The situation at Naturalis is emblematic of how vulnerable the countryside is now to extreme weather events. Immediate relief is needed to allow businesses to reopen, as well as structural policies for prevention and land protection."
This appeal is shared by the organization's director, Emanuele Spanò, who emphasizes the need for rapid and coordinated intervention : "Severe weather can no longer catch us unprepared. It is essential that regional and national institutions immediately implement support measures and more effective tools to protect against climate risks. Climate change is not a temporary emergency, but a structural challenge that requires far-sighted agricultural and environmental policies."
The severe weather comes at an already challenging time for the Oristano agricultural sector, challenged by rising energy prices, rising production costs, and a loss of profitability. Many farms will have to completely rebuild their facilities, requiring lengthy and costly reconstruction that risks jeopardizing production continuity.
For Coldiretti, the events in San Nicolò d'Arcidano are yet another wake-up call. "We need rapid responses and concrete measures," the association reiterates. "It's time to prioritize farm resilience, land maintenance, and climate-related damage prevention, before it's too late."
(Unioneonline/Fr.Me.)