Italy is facing its worst drought in decades, with winter rain and snowfall falling far short of what is needed to replenish the country's water supplies. The Italian government has declared a state of emergency in some regions, with the situation expected to worsen in the coming months. The drought is already having a major impact on the country's agricultural sector, with farmers facing crop losses and water shortages. The lack of rain and snowfall has been attributed to a combination of climate change and El Niño-related weather patterns. The Mediterranean country has been particularly hard hit, with some regions seeing less than half the average rainfall for this time of year. The Italian government has implemented measures to try to mitigate the effects of the drought, including restrictions on water use and the introduction of subsidies to help farmers. However, experts warn that the situation is likely to get worse before it gets better. The drought has also had a major impact on the country's tourism industry, with some areas experiencing a drop in visitors due to the lack of water. The Italian government is now appealing for international assistance in order to help the country cope with the drought. In the meantime, authorities are urging citizens to conserve water and take other steps to reduce their water use.