Climate Extremes of Droughts and Floods in Piedmont, Italy
Grand Paradise National Park is under threat, posing significant challenges to conservation efforts and the sustainability of this natural heaven.
In the serene expanse of the Grand Paradise National Park in Piedmont, Italy, nature's tranquil beauty is increasingly marred by the stark impacts of climate change. Recent years have witnessed a troubling pattern of prolonged droughts, followed swiftly by devastating floods that have wreaked havoc on the park's delicate ecosystem.
In my previous article, I wrote about this place, the waterfall of Noasca. What happened about a week ago is indescribable, you’ve seen it yourself. Huge boulders fell down the mountains into the valley. I was honestly scared about the fate of this bell tower and the road under the waterfall (and not just me: other people told me the same).
I once took a walk in the Cervo Valley near Biella and talked to the locals about the disasters I had encountered on the road (I didn't know there was that very strong storm at night). People said how scared they were when they heard the boulders falling along the roads that passed through their village. So, I can imagine what the locals could feel in Noasca.
Stones of two or more meters in diameter were on the road, the only road that there is in this valley. I thought the valley would be closed to tourists this year. Imagine my surprise when two days ago I read that the road had been reopened on July 3rd!
Look at the two photos below this paragraph. This is another very popular tourist place located in the same valley. This is Lake Ceresole Reale which on Google Maps still looks like it did last year: almost completely dried out. Locals told me that they had never seen this lake in such a sorry state in their lives.
Look at my photo from this morning. The lake is full now. I took this photo from a place called Villa there, the highest part.
I love this part of Grand Paradise National Park. Every year I visit it to say hello to the adorable marmots and to take a walk. It starts from a height of 2500 meters above sea level and these heights are not for everyone. Many people feel sick even from 1500 meters above sea level. For this, you must understand your strengths.
The weather was nice there, and I decided to go to Colle del Nivolet. But then I spent the day near Lake Agnel. Finally, I went to the waterfall (on the left), and then a man accompanied me to the Black Madonna. That is, I accompanied him because he was already going there, and I didn't know this statue existed.
It is immediately clear that the statue is not ancient. The dedication of the local population to the Black Madonna is interesting. Some say that this color of the statues appeals to the earth, to simple, hard-working people.
Everyone is free to have their say.
Interestingly, many people stop on purpose to climb this hill “to greet the Madonna”. Even if the Catholic faith seems more pagan to me in its certain forms, people in the depths of their hearts are still believers in Italy. Also because, in many parts of the country, people still live in truly extreme conditions, I think.
The Agnel Lake waterfall is full and beautiful. I spent half an hour listening to it. If I'm good, later I'll upload the video I made so that you too can benefit from its relaxing song.
Normally, I never take the same walks. I always try to see and learn something new. But I tell you the truth: Grand Paradise National Park is a place where I go several times a year with great pleasure.
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Write me if you have questions, and I’ll be happy to answer.
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