Rocky beach emerges from Lake Garda after drought

STORY: Lake Garda, Italy's largest lake and major tourist destination, as well as many lakes and rivers in northern Italy, is suffering from severe drought that has gripped the country for months.

''There is much less water, so you can see the stones. In the past, sometimes the water practically submerged all the stones'', said tourist Barbara Bazzoli.

''There are 20 to 25 meters of stones uncovered and that's quite a sensational thing. It hasn't happened for years, at least I, in the years I've been here, I have never seen such a spectacle," she added.

The bed of rocks, similar to a beach, emerged due to the lack of rainfall and the constant drawing of water in order to irrigate agricultural fields during the summer.

Italy declared a state of emergency last month for areas surrounding the Po, which is the country's longest river. Po river accounts for roughly a third of Italy's agricultural production and is suffering its worst drought for 70 years.