"The water deficit is large and widespread," Prodi said in a circular, calling on them to take "effective" steps to better manage water resources, including reducing or prohibiting non-essential use.

Following a relatively dry autumn and winter -- with rainfall between 20 and 40 percent less than normal -- meteorologists are predicting continued dry weather.

The situation is especially worrisome in the northeast, where rainfall has been down by 50 to 60 percent, the civil guard said.

This winter saw snow across only one-third of the area covered in 2005-06, and Italy's longest river, the Po, is flowing 500 cubic meters per second less than average.

Lake Como's level is also far below normal.

"We are in an emergency situation, but not a situation of alarm," said civil guard chief Guido Bertolaso.

December 2006 was the warmest in Italy since records began in 1860.

Drought in 2003 caused damage, mainly to crops, estimated at some five billion euros (6.5 billion dollars).

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