Army to fight Italian drought

Armed police patrol a Sicilian reservoir

ROME, Italy -- The Italian army is to be mobilised to help fight a drought that has scarred the southern half of the country.

A state of emergency has been declared in four regions as crops withered in the dry weather with conditions made worse by poor water management.

Agriculture minister Giovanni Alemanno told reporters: "We will coordinate all the men and means at our disposal -- both military and civilian."

Soldiers will be used to transport water to some of the worst crisis areas, including the islands of Sicily and Sardinia and the Puglia region in the southeast heel.

Security forces are also on standby to handle growing protests from farmers and other locals angered by the continuing water shortages.

Officials have warned armed escorts might be needed to guard water convoys -- amid concern that the Mafia was taking advantage of the crisis by putting a stranglehold on supplies, Reuters reported.

"I have the impression that organised crime is involved in this," said Enrico La Loggia, minister for regional affairs.

Up to 40 percent of Italy's water is lost, in leaky reservoir and pipes, before it reaches the user --and the driest 12 month period for 30 years has exacerbated the situation.

The Lazio region, which includes Rome, has asked the government to declare a state of emergency, while rationing will shortly be introduced in the central region of Umbria. Neighbouring Tuscany could also have shortages.

Water supplies in Sicily have been regularly cut for months to conserve supplies. Farmers have blocked roads across the island in almost daily protests. Residents in Palermo have barricaded streets to demand action.