Bad weather has hit northern Italy, in particular Valle d'Aosta and Piedmont, with extensive damage due to landslides.

The Cogne Valley is isolated and there was flooding in the center of Cervinia, which also remained isolated overnight. There were also landslides in Piedmont, where there was damage to bridges and some isolated valleys. About thirty climbers were left stranded at the foot of Monte Rosa.

Currently 300 people have been evacuated by helicopter from the Cogne valley, of which 200 from Valnontey and 100 from Cogne.

In the municipality last night, according to an assessment of the regional Civil Defense, there were about 700 tourists. Evacuated tourists are allowed to take only the essentials with them. Only later will they be able to retrieve their belongings and, when the road network is restored, their cars as well.

"Last night, after the situation worsened, the Gran Paradiso camp was evacuated. In our hotel we have welcomed the evacuees, those who could, about 30 people," Christine Cavagnet, who runs a hotel in Valnontey with her family, told ANSA .

The hotelier was not in Cogne last night and when the only road connecting the town was closed due to a breakdown at around 20pm, she was unable to return. Helicopter is the only way to get to Cogne at the moment.

Considerable damage has also been caused in Valnontei, where both the electricity network and the water supply system are out of order.

Due to the flooding of the Dora Baltea in Montjovet, two families were evacuated from their homes after climbing to the upper floors, while in Issogne the river has overflowed between the localities of Favà and Fleuran and some residents have climbed to the upper floors.

In Valtournenche, the flooding of the Marmore stream caused extensive damage in the center of Cervinia, also flooding shops. The regional road to reach the resort has reopened today. In the same valley, in Antey-Saint-André, a camp was evacuated and guests dispersed to different accommodation facilities. / ANSA