IT-alert: two dams in Lombardia as the focus of new tests
Public warning system tests on May 21 and June 4 will cover the Poglia and Panigai dams
The Lombardia Region is conducting an IT alert test for the risk of large dam collapses, involving, for the first time, two infrastructures that have not been included in past periodic evaluations of the system's efficacy.
On May 21, 2025, at 10:00 AM, a test will focus on the Poglia dam in the municipality of Cevo (BS). This test will involve the sixteen municipalities in the Brescia territory that could be affected by the flood wave resulting from the collapse of the dam: Cevo, Cedegolo, Sellero, Paspardo, Capo di Ponte, Ono San Pietro, Ceto, Cerveno, Losine, Braone, Niardo, Breno, Malegno, Cividate Camuno, Piancogno, and Esine.
On June 4, 2025, at 10:00 AM, the activity will take place at the Panigai dam located in the municipality of Pedesina (SO) and will involve six municipalities in Valtellina: Pedesina, Bema, Rasura, Morbegno, Cosio Valtellino, and Traona.
Regularly testing the public warning system is crucial to ensure it functions correctly. This testing verifies that, in the event of a real emergency, alerts are transmitted from phone cells and received on devices in the affected areas. Additionally, it serves as an opportunity to confirm that the communication protocols outlined in the Civil Protection Document and the Dam Emergency Plan (DEP) are being properly followed.
For the collapse of large dams scenario, the message test will read as follows:
TEST TEST This is an IT-alert TEST MESSAGE. There is an ongoing SIMULATION of a dam collapse in the area where you are. To learn what message you will receive in case of real danger and to fill out the survey, go to www.it-alert.gov.it/en TEST TEST
On test days, the homepage of the IT-alert website will include a link to the survey that citizens in the affected areas are invited to complete, even if they do not receive any notification.
Test dates may be subject to change if regional civil protection systems are activated due to hydro-meteorological alerts or emergencies.