Flood warnings issued in northern Italy after rain deluge

Flood warnings have been issued across northern Italy after torrential downpours led to widespread flooding in the region.

The River Po burst its banks in Turin last week after 171mm of rain fell in just three days.

The regions of Piedmont and Liguria were the hardest hit, with homes evacuated and businesses closed on Thursday.

The Tanaro River also broke its banks in several places, isolating the town of Garessio, where water flooded ground-floor residences and shops.

Emergency services were continuing to monitor the situation as sandbags lined the town's streets.

Liguria's Regional Minister for Civil Protection, Giacomo Giampedrone, described the situation as "critical", but reassured residents the Civil Protection Department would be on hand to assist in the emergency efforts.

Heavy rain is expected to continue into the weekend and in the 24-hour period leading to 6am on Friday, Turin recorded 116mm of rain, compared with the November average of just 77mm.

Schools in Genoa, Savona, Imperia, San Remo and Ventimiglia remained closed on Friday for safety reasons and around a dozen families in the area of Savona were evacuated.

Officials are monitoring the swelling of the Po River, Italy's longest, which passes through Turin, one of northern Italy's most populated cities.