Out of everything that Venice is famous for, the the canals take the cake.
If you're fantasising about romantic gondola rides in Venice right now, there's some bad news. Several of Venice's small yet popular canals have gone dry.
Muddy stairs that are normally underwater, are now visible in the larger channels that serve as the city's primary "highways".
Boats and traditional gondolas are not just to attract tourists, but also to move around Venice. In some canals, they could be seen almost beached.
The Grand Canal or the Canalasso is the main canal in Venice. It is a prime spot for tourists and is not dried up yet.
VIDEO: adhya moonaVarious factors behind Venice's condition: first, obviously, is global warming. The lack of rain, a high-pressure weather system, a full moon (causing low tides).
PHOTO: afpDry weather is unusual for Venice at this time of the year, when flooding is normally the primary concern.
The dried-up canals have left tourists frustrated. Venice is known for its canals and gondolas, after all!
Photo: AFPThe Po, Italy’s longest river which runs from the Alps in the northwest to the Adriatic Sea, has 61 per cent less water than normal at this time of the year.
Last year, Italy declared a state of emergency for areas surrounding the Po, and suffered its worst drought in 70 years.