“We must make securing the national territory the priority of the political government agenda of this executive and all its ramifications across the territory,” Musumeci said.

“Italy is a nation more inclined to rebuild than to prevent.

“Events like the one in Emilia Romagna cannot be predicted, but the disastrous effects they produce can be reduced.”

Musumeci said a national plan is needed that is “designed according to a joint strategy, which has so far been lacking”.

The minister added that the government is also looking at how to simplify procedures for reconstruction.

In shoring up the country, Musumeci said he is not only referring to flooding and hydrogeological instability, but also to earthquake risk.

“How many strategic infrastructure works could withstand a certain level of seismic stress? How many municipalities in Italy could be reached by emergency vehicles in the event of an earthquake?” he asked.

These, he continued, are important questions “in consideration of the fact that that more than half of the national territory falls within a seismic zone and almost 94 per cent is at risk of landslides or flooding or hydrogeological instability”.

Musumeci told parliament in Emilia Romagna a total of 23 rivers flooded as a result of the torrential rainfall, 500 roads had to be closed due to flooding or landslides, and 23,000 people were evacuated.

Some 622 roads remained closed, including many minor ones, he added.

However, the minister said regular transit is expected to resume in the next few hours and that railway services should be almost fully operational by early June.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni will helicopter over areas of Emilia Romagna affected by the flooding on Thursday. (Photo: ANSA)

Meanwhile, he said some 54,000 people are still without power, “a few tens of thousands” without mobile phone service and 14,600 users without a fixed-line service.

It is not possible to restore services for the time being due to persistent flooding, he told parliament, adding that “it is hoped that in the coming days everything will return to normal”.

Health Minister Orazio Schillaci said on Wednesday people in Emilia Romagna should continue to follow the advice of their local health agencies.

“We recommend that the citizens of the flooded areas in Emilia Romagna follow the indications and adopt the behaviour suggested by the Ausl Romagna Public Health Department,” Schillaci declared.

“We are aware of the difficulties at this time but it is important to adopt the utmost prudence and care.

“The community of Emilia Romagna is showing great resilience and we will continue to stand by those in need and all the health workers and volunteers working in the flooded areas.”

The damage toll will exceed €7 billion, Deputy Governor with the civil protection brief Irene Priolo said on Wednesday.

“There is no precise estimate yet, but the damage will be over seven billion,” she said.

The government has so far earmarked some €2 billion for flood relief and reconstruction in the northern region.

“The two billion made available by the government is important and has been directed mainly at businesses,” Priolo said.

“But the overall bill will be much higher, also because we have a lot of damaged infrastructure and an unprecedented number of landslides.”

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will meet with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Emilia Romagna‘ capital Bologna on Thursday and accompany her on a helicopter flight over areas affected by the flooding, sources at Palazzo Chigi said on Wednesday.

ANSA