The north-east of Italy has been suffering severe flooding in recent days, which has caused at least 14 deaths and thousands of evacuees, although in the last few hours the accumulated water has begun to filter and subside, which has allowed them to begin to clean up the accumulated tons of mud, while the reconstruction is prepared.
Among the devastation caused by Cyclone Minerva, stories of resistance have emerged. And one of them was starred by the 18-month-old donkey Mais, who has become the symbol of these floods in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna.
Mais, from the farm of Le Chiocce de Russi, located in Ravenna, spent two days with the water that reached his belly and, once rescued, traveled three kilometers through water and currents of more than a meter in height.
Despite being exhausted and without strength, Mais kept going until he was welcomed by volunteers from the Loto de Carpi rehabilitation center, near Modena, which has opened its doors these days to welcome animals affected by the incessant rains.
This courage and drive shown by the defenseless animal in an extreme situation has caused it to become a kind of viral hero on the networks and a symbol of the fight against the devastating effects of the rains, which has caused, among other measures, the evacuation of some 36,000 people, of whom only 10,000 have already been able to return to their homes.
The president of the region, Stefano Bonnacini, assured that the economic cost of the damages will amount to several billion. According to technicians in the area, at least between 7,000 and 8,000 million euros will be needed for reconstruction.
Despite the fact that the rains have given a little respite in Romagna, the rainfall continues to be very present in Ravenna and its surroundings. In addition, the red alert from Civil Protection is maintained due to hydrogeological conditions.
Faced with this difficult situation, the population of these Italian regions entrust themselves to their new symbol, the stubborn donkey Mais, to overcome these hard months of returning to normalcy that lie ahead.
