Venice has suffered from devastating floods, after the region saw the highest water levels in more than 50 years.

Much of the popular cruise destination has been left underwater, with the floods (caused by torrential rain which has hit much of Italy in recent days) speculated to leave a permanent mark on the floating metropolis.

Alle 12.00 conferenza stampa con @zaiapresidente e Angelo Borelli @DPCgov
Chiederemo stato di crisi. Cittadini e imprese raccolgano materiale utile a dimostrare danni subiti. Nei prossimi giorni comunicheremo modalità per richiesta di contributo
Info: https://t.co/SzLWTGi5XM pic.twitter.com/NDXsFLo34R

— Luigi Brugnaro (@LuigiBrugnaro) November 13, 2019

Shops, businesses, restaurants and tourist spots have all been affected, with three water-buses reported as sunk.

Along with serious damage to the city, two people have died on the island of Pellestrina, a thin strip of land separating the Venetian lagoon from the Adriatic Sea.

The Mayor of Venice Luigi Brugnaro has tweeted photos showing the devastation and has blamed climate change for the floods.

“Now the government must listen,” he said. “These are the effects of climate change… the costs will be high.”

Following the news, travel association ABTA has been offering advice and support to both travel companies and travellers.

An ABTA spokesperson has said: “Tourist areas have been affected by the recent severe flooding in Venice.

“Travel companies with interests in the region should contact their ground agents and staff to establish if programmes have been affected and check on the welfare of their customers and staff, offering assistance as appropriate.

“Customers already in Venice should be kept updated on advice issued by local authorities, and any that are due to travel should be contacted to discuss if any changes are necessary to their travel itineraries as a result of the flooding.

“ABTA will continue to monitor the situation and keep its members updated.”

Earlier this year, it was announced that large cruise ships would be banned from Venice’s Grand Canal due to overtourism and environmental impacts.