Italy Grapples with Landslide Risk as Villages Face Disappearance
Niscemi, Sicily – Italy is confronting a growing crisis of disappearing villages, as landslides triggered by unique geological conditions threaten communities across the country. The plight of Niscemi, a Sicilian town at risk of being swallowed by the earth, is not an isolated incident, but rather a symptom of a widespread vulnerability.
The issue stems from a specific soil composition – sandy deposits layered over impermeable clay. This creates a dangerous scenario where rainwater percolates through the sand and accumulates on the clay layer, leading to “retrogressive landslides” that creep uphill towards inhabited areas, explained geologist Giuseppe Esposito of the National Research Council’s Institute for Hydrogeological Protection.
“The different characteristics of the two layers reflect in the different behavior of water,” Esposito said. “The sand is permeable and lets water infiltrate, and this, descending, accumulates on the clay layer which is instead impermeable. This determines a ‘retrogressive sliding’, that is, with an evolution of the landslide towards the mountain, where the town center is located.”
The problem isn’t new. In 2005, the Calabrian village of Cavallerizzo di Cerzeto was completely destroyed by a landslide, forcing the entire population to relocate. Five years later, in 2010, San Fratello, in the province of Messina, Sicily, suffered significant damage as buildings slid down the slopes. (See image below)
[Image of San Fratello from ANSA: https://www.ansa.it/webimages/img_621x414/2026/1/28/e0d297274074568dcb43f34b18ff5a93.jpg]
The situation extends beyond Sicily and Calabria. Apice, in the province of Benevento, has been largely abandoned since a 1980 earthquake, though some residents defied evacuation orders following a smaller tremor in 1962. Civita di Bagnoregio, a picturesque hilltop town in the Lazio region, has long battled erosion, but has successfully reinvented itself as a tourist destination, demonstrating a path towards resilience.
Similarly, Gibellina, in Sicily, rebuilt itself after being devastated by the 1968 Belice earthquake, transforming into a hub for contemporary art and slated to be Italy’s Capital of Contemporary Art in 2026. The town’s rebirth, fueled by artists, architects, and designers, offers a hopeful model for other at-risk communities. (See image below)
[Image of Gibellina from ANSA: https://www.ansa.it/webimages/img_621x414/2026/1/28/26197a787d2bec21103767ece4320809.jpg]
However, not all communities are able to adapt. In 2019, Pomarico, in the Basilicata region, experienced landslides that were, according to experts, predictable given the area’s geological characteristics. (See image below)
[Image of Pomarico from ANSA: https://www.ansa.it/webimages/img_621x414/2026/1/28/2d3512e44fbb796ed0886a68d6555fdc.jpg]
The Italian government has allocated funds for landslide prevention and mitigation, but the scale of the problem requires sustained investment and proactive planning. According to a 2023 report by the Italian National Institute of Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), approximately 26% of Italian territory is classified as landslide-prone, impacting over 6 million people. The report highlights the urgent need for updated geological maps and stricter building regulations in vulnerable areas.
The increasing frequency of extreme weather events, linked to climate change, is exacerbating the risk. Heavier rainfall and prolonged droughts contribute to soil instability, making landslides more likely. This situation underscores the importance of integrating climate adaptation strategies into land-use planning and disaster risk reduction efforts.
The fate of Niscemi, and countless other Italian villages, hangs in the balance. Their stories serve as a stark reminder of the power of nature and the critical need for proactive measures to protect communities from the devastating consequences of landslides.
(Source: ANSA)
