Venice’s mayor has blamed climate change for its highest tide in over 50 years, which flooded St Mark’s Square and many of the ancient city’s alleyways.

“The situation is dramatic,” Luigi Brugnaro tweeted. “We ask the government to help us. The cost will be high. This is the result of climate change.”

Warning of severe damage, he said he would ask the government to declare a state of emergency to allow funds to be freed for repairs.

The high-water mark hit 187cm (74in) late on Tuesday, meaning more than 85 per cent of the canal city was submerged. The highest level ever recorded was 198cm (78in) during infamous flooding in 1966.

Venice flooding in pictures: City hit by highest tide in 50 years Show all 15 1 /15 Venice flooding in pictures: City hit by highest tide in 50 years Venice flooding in pictures: City hit by highest tide in 50 years epa07992303 A view of a ferry stranded on the docks following bad weather in Venice, northern Italy, 13 November 2019. A wave of bad weather has hit much of Italy on 12 November. Levels of 100-120cm above sea level are fairly common in the lagoon city and Venice is well-equipped to cope with its rafts of pontoon walkways. EPA/ANDREA MEROLA ANDREA MEROLA EPA Venice flooding in pictures: City hit by highest tide in 50 years A man stands in the flooded St Mark's Square ANSA via AP Venice flooding in pictures: City hit by highest tide in 50 years The flooded crypt of St Mark's Basilica is pictured during an exceptionally high water levels in Venice, Italy November 13, 2019. REUTERS/Manuel Silvestri MANUEL SILVESTRI Reuters Venice flooding in pictures: City hit by highest tide in 50 years A stranded ferry boat is seen in the background as people gather to watch and clean up after a high tide, in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019. The high-water mark hit 187 centimeters (74 inches) late Tuesday, meaning more than 85% of the city was flooded. The highest level ever recorded was 198 centimeters (78 inches) during infamous flooding in 1966. (Andrea Merola/ANSA via AP) Andrea Merola AP Venice flooding in pictures: City hit by highest tide in 50 years A room in the flooded Gritti Palace AFP via Getty Venice flooding in pictures: City hit by highest tide in 50 years People and tourists carry their luggage through a flooded street after an exceptional overnight "Alta Acqua" high tide water level, early on November 13, 2019 in Venice. - Powerful rainstorms hit Italy on November 12, with the worst affected areas in the south and Venice, where there was widespread flooding. Within a cyclone that threatens the country, exceptional high water were rising in Venice, with the sirocco winds blowing northwards from the Adriatic sea against the lagoons outlets and preventing the water from flowing back into the sea. At 22:40pm the tide reached 183 cm, the second measure in history after the 198 cm of the 1966 flood. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP) (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images) MARCO BERTORELLO AFP via Getty Venice flooding in pictures: City hit by highest tide in 50 years A man takes photos from the flooded St. Mark's Square after an exceptional overnight "Alta Acqua" high tide water level, early on November 13, 2019 in Venice. - Powerful rainstorms hit Italy on November 12, with the worst affected areas in the south and Venice, where there was widespread flooding. Within a cyclone that threatens the country, exceptional high water were rising in Venice, with the sirocco winds blowing northwards from the Adriatic sea against the lagoons outlets and preventing the water from flowing back into the sea. At 22:40pm the tide reached 183 cm, the second measure in history after the 198 cm of the 1966 flood. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP) (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images) MARCO BERTORELLO AFP via Getty Venice flooding in pictures: City hit by highest tide in 50 years A flooded shop during a night of exceptional high water Reuters Venice flooding in pictures: City hit by highest tide in 50 years People walk across the flooded St Mark's Square past St Mark's Basilica AFP via Getty Venice flooding in pictures: City hit by highest tide in 50 years People use a makeshift footbridge to exit a flooded hotel AFP via Getty Venice flooding in pictures: City hit by highest tide in 50 years A stranded ferry boat is seen by the docks in Venice ANSA via AP Venice flooding in pictures: City hit by highest tide in 50 years A man walks across the flooded St Mark's Square past St Mark's Basilica and the Bell Tower AFP via Getty Venice flooding in pictures: City hit by highest tide in 50 years A shop owner clears his flooded premises AFP via Getty Venice flooding in pictures: City hit by highest tide in 50 years The flooded Riva degli Schiavoni embankment with the San Giorgio Maggiore basilica in background AFP via Getty Venice flooding in pictures: City hit by highest tide in 50 years A water taxi transported by the water into a street Reuters

One person died after he was struck by lightning while using an electric water pump on Pellestrina, one of the many islands in the Venetian lagoon, the fire brigade said. Another death was later reported on the island, but the cause is unclear.

St Mark’s Square was left submerged under more than one metre (3.3ft) of water, while St Mark’s Basilica was flooded for the sixth time in 1,200 years.

Four of those inundations have come within the last 20 years, most recently in October 2018.

Pictures and videos posted to social media showed a city ferry and taxi boats grounded on walkways flanking canals.

Others showed deep waters flowing like a river along one of Venice’s main thoroughfares, while another showed large waves hammering boats moored alongside the Doge’s Palace and surging over the stone pavements.

The tide level had fallen to 145cm ​by Wednesday morning, but it was expected to rise back to 160cm during the day.

Even lower levels of the salty water have taken their toll on the city over the years, eroding the foundations of homes and businesses.

Mr Brugnaro called for the speedy completion of a long-delayed project to construct off-shore barriers.

Called “Moses”, the moveable under-sea barriers are meant to limit flooding of the city, caused by southerly winds that push the tide into Venice.

But the controversial project, opposed by environmentalists concerned about damaging the delicate lagoon ecosystem, has been delayed by cost overruns and corruption scandals, with no completion date in sight.

Mr Brugnaro said the flood levels represent “a wound that will leave indelible signs”.