EXE PO 2026: National Flood Risk Exercise in the Po River Basin from June 25 to 27
Institutions, operational units, and volunteers join forces to safeguard communities and territories along the river
On Thursday, June 25, the operational phase of “EXE PO 2026” will begin—a national civil protection exercise focused on managing hydrogeological and hydraulic risks throughout the entire Po River basin.
Coordinated by the Civil Protection Department, in collaboration with AIPo- the Interregional Agency for the Po River and the regions of Piemonte, Lombardia, Emilia-Romagna, and Veneto, the simulation will test the emergency response system's ability to respond to an extreme flood, based on the historic flood that struck the northwestern regions of Italy in October 2000.
The exercise aims to test communication flows, response models, national and regional warning systems, and coordination among different institutional levels, enabling an on-the-ground assessment—through command posts—of the National Civil Protection Service’s response capacity and overall coordination in response to a complex, interregional meteorological and hydrological scenario.
“‘EXE PO 2026—as Department Head Fabio Ciciliano points out—represents an excellent opportunity to test the operational response of the national civil protection system to floods. By activating specific flood management coordination systems integrated into the national communication and response system, we will test procedures for warning, rescue, and assistance to the population, animal protection, and the assessment of risk scenarios. This is an important test to fine-tune operational procedures and ensure that every institutional level, from local to national, can operate in harmony to protect the territory and communities.”
Multiple "simulated" operational scenarios will be tested across the four regions, involving the deployment of mobile civil protection volunteer units and the activation of technical teams to assess potential damage to buildings, infrastructure, and strategic networks. To address the most critical flood scenarios, drones will also be deployed to monitor riverbanks, alongside water pumps and the innovative European High-Capacity Pumping (HCP) module. Additional tests will focus on rescue and assistance for the population, with particular attention to vulnerable groups and the protection of animals. The Bologna and Poggio Rusco (MN) train stations will host the medical train exercise, which, using actors, will facilitate the safe transfer of patients evacuated from the hospital in Pieve Coriano (MN).
Finally, particular attention will be paid to testing the national public warning system, IT-alert, regarding the specific scenario of a major dam collapse. Tests will take place on two separate days in the area of the Porto della Torre dam (VA), between the municipalities of Somma Lombardo in Lombardia and Varallo Pombia in Piemonte, and in the area of the Salionze dam (MN), in the province of Mantova, between the municipalities of Monzambano and Ponti sul Mincio.
“EXE PO 2026” also represents an important training opportunity for civil protection operators, experts, and volunteers, as well as a chance to raise awareness among residents living in areas near the Po River on how to properly respond during floods, thereby helping to protect themselves and their communities.