€50 million in emergency funds allocated to address storm damage in four regions in central and southern Italy.The Italian government has declared a 12-month state of emergency for Abruzzo, Basilicata, Molise and Puglia following the severe storms and flooding that struck the four regions in recent days.  The government has allocated an initial €50 million in emergency funding to the regions, divided as follows: €15 million for Abruzzo, €5 million for Basilicata, €20 million for Molise and €10 million for Puglia.   The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting at Palazzo Chigi on Thursday evening and was announced by civil protection minister Nello Musumeci.   The funds, drawn from Italy's national emergency fund, are intended to finance initial assistance to those affected by storm damage and to restore public services and infrastructure.   Further measures will be implemented through ordinances issued by the head of the civil protection department in agreement with the regional authorities, news agency Adnkronos reports.   In the case of Molise, the government appointed engineer Stefano Babini as extraordinary commissioner for reconstruction in the affected areas of the central Italian region.   Molise was among the regions hardest hit, with a massive landslide occuring in the area around Petacciato following heavy rainfall.   The landslide led to the temporary closure of the A14 motorway and state road 16 as well as causing severe disruption to train services on the Adriatic railway line.   Photo Vigili del Fuoco