Northern Italy declared a Drought emergency
Emilia-Romagna, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Lombardy, Piedmont and Veneto will be given €36.5m (£31m; $38m) in emergency funds to tackle the water shortage.
The drought threatens more than 30% of Italy's agricultural produce, according to the farm union Coldiretti.
Several municipalities have already announced water rationing.
Scorching weather and low rainfall across winter and spring have compounded water shortages in northern Italy.
The Po is Italy's longest river, flowing eastward for more than 650km (404 miles).
Farmers in the Po Valley say salty seawater is now seeping into the river, destroying crops.
Over the weekend, at least seven people died after being caught in an avalanche sparked by the collapse of a glacier in the northern Italian Alps.
Prime Minister Mario Draghi said was "without a doubt" linked to global warming.
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