The National Confederation of Farmers (Coldiretti) has claimed that 690,000 hectares of farmland has either been developed on or washed away in landslides in the last decade.

The Union said 8.6 million people are at risk from the “dramatic impact” rainfall can have on soil hydrology.

A spokesperson said: “It is strange that the wrong development model has been used and investments have not been taken to preserve those that live and work in the countryside.”