BBC英语口语: 意大利威尼斯的水灾

Background: 意大利的威尼斯市正在清理大面积海潮带来的水灾。威尼斯遭遇了20年不遇的海平面最高水位。该市饭店行业说，从昨天开始已经有1000多项预定被取消。威尼斯市呼吁政府紧急拨款以帮助清整这场水灾。市政府还要求加速防洪门大型工程的建造。巨头 Google 宣布从2010年1月起将会将伊拉克国家博物馆的宝藏的照片放在互联网上供全世界人民免费观赏。Google 首席执行官 Eric Schmidt 先生在参观伊拉克国家博物馆时宣布了此消息。

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Flooding in Venice

At one point the water in the central part of Venice was 1.56m above sea level. It hasn't been that high since 1986. Venice gets regular flooding at this time of year but this was the fourth deepest on record.

Dozens of homes and businesses were inundated. Scores of people had to move out, though there are no reports of serious injuries.
With mopping up still underway, the authorities say they don't yet know the final cost of repairs . They've appealed to the government for money from a special fund to help in the clear-up.
 
The all-time record for high water was in 1966 when it reached nearly two metres. The city then suffered widespread and devastating  flooding.

Since then, there have been a number of attempts to make flood protection more permanent.

The latest and most ambitious  solution is what is known as the Moses Project: 78 floodgates  are being built at the three main inlets  to the lagoon  that Venice is set around. About 40% are complete, though the city has again asked for the scheme to be speeded up ahead of its planned 2012 completion.

Much more immediately, with 1000 cancellations in the past 24 hours, hotels have started offering discount packages which include a free pair of fishermen-style wading boots.