The Italian government has declared a state of emergency in Venice due to an unprecedented flood, DW reported.

Italian PM Giuseppe Conte announced a national state of emergency on Thursday evening after floodwater levels in Venice reached the highest level in over 50 years. The PM also tweeted that the Italian Cabinet approved €20 million to help the city recover from the floods.

The water level in Venice on Tuesday rose 187 cm above normal. The peak water level in the city exceeded 140 cm on Wednesday.

The head of the Italian government promised that by 2021 the creation of Moses system, which is designed to protect Venice from floods, will be completed. The system has been under construction intermittently since 2003, the prolonged timelines for its creation cause serious criticism from the inhabitants of Venice and throughout Italy.