Several cantons warn of severe thunderstorms
Published: Saturday, Jun 29th 2024, 18:30
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In western and north-western Switzerland, but also in the cantons of Valais and Ticino, some heavy thunderstorms were expected on Saturday afternoon and evening. Several cantons have issued warnings of rain, lightning, hail and squalls, but also of flooding.
By early Saturday evening, MeteoSwiss was already reporting over 10,000 lightning flashes on X. Most of them were recorded in a strip over the canton of Valais and the Bernese Alps. There were clusters, but significantly fewer, in the Lake Geneva region and in southern Ticino. In the central and eastern foothills of the Alps, the Föhn wind also blew.
The cantons of Geneva and Vaud banned outdoor events planned for the afternoon and evening. These included fan zones where football fans wanted to watch Switzerland's European Championship match against Italy. In Nyon VD, a swimming pool was also closed in the afternoon.
Several cantons warn
Thunderstorm warnings were issued in the western cantons of Switzerland as well as in the two cantons of Basel, Solothurn, Aargau and also in the canton of Ticino. People were asked to avoid forests, trees and open areas. Water drains should be kept clear and movable objects such as garden furniture and potted plants should be secured.
The canton of Valais has upgraded its flood warning due to the heavy thunderstorms since Saturday afternoon. According to the cantonal command staff, the Rhone and the tributaries on the left bank of the Rhone are particularly dangerous.
The Valais authorities called on people to restrict travel, avoid staying near watercourses and avoid parking on bridges. People should also refrain from filming and photographing floods to avoid endangering themselves.
According to the management body, the Entremont, the Val d'Hérens, the Val d'Anniviers, the Mattertal, the Goms, the Binntal and the Simplon region are particularly affected. While there is also potential danger in other areas, the Chablais should be spared to some extent, according to the press release.
Passes blocked
The Nufenen Pass - which connects the Upper Valais with the Bedretto Valley in Ticino - has been closed since the afternoon. According to the police, there was a landslide. International road transit traffic over the Simplon axis was also interrupted from the early evening until early Sunday morning.
In the evening, the main road Andermatt-Brig VS near the Furka Pass had to be closed in both directions due to falling rocks, as reported by the TCS and the Federal Roads Office (Astra). The measure is valid until further notice.
In eastern Switzerland, footpaths and cycle paths in the Rhine forelands were closed on Saturday evening due to the expected rising water levels on the Rhine. People were advised not to go near the river. In addition to heavy rain, meltwater could also cause the Rhine to rise.
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