Flood situation eases along the rivers
Published: Sunday, Jun 2nd 2024, 18:00
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The risk of flooding in northern and eastern Switzerland eased on Sunday afternoon, according to the Swiss government. The situation in Vitznau LU has also calmed down again after a major landslide on Saturday.
There is currently no danger to the village, local councillor Erich Waldis told the Keystone-SDA news agency on Sunday. On Saturday, a total of around 300,000 cubic meters of earth and rock were moved in the Hinterbergen area. This corresponds to the load of around 3200 trucks with trailers.
Residents in the farms near the landslide area were evacuated in the meantime. They have since been able to return. However, according to the local council, the situation is still being closely monitored.
Levels fall again
The water levels of many rivers are also falling again as the rainfall subsides. According to the authorities, there is still "considerable danger" on the High Rhine and Lake Constance.
The levels of the High Rhine and Lake Constance will continue to rise on Monday, according to the federal government's hazard bulletin on Sunday. However, the danger levels on several rivers have been lowered.
The water levels of the Sihl, the Aare below Lake Biel and Lake Walen are now at danger level 1 ("no or low danger"). The warning issued for these bodies of water has therefore been lifted.
The warnings for the Thur and the Rhine at the outflow of Lake Constance have also been lowered. Danger level 2 ("moderate danger") still applies.
Lake Zurich and Lake Lucerne had reached their highest levels during the day on Saturday. They were still at danger level 2 on Sunday, with a slight downward trend, it was reported.
The low moves eastwards
Low pressure system "Radha", which had brought heavy rain to central and eastern Switzerland over the past few days, slowly moved eastwards. The intense precipitation eased temporarily from Saturday morning until Sunday morning.
During this period, 1 to 5 millimetres of precipitation per square meter fell on the northern side of the Alps, and in some places 5 to 12 millimetres on the northern edge of Switzerland, according to the hazard bulletin.
By Monday afternoon, another 25 to 50 millimetres of precipitation are expected on the central and eastern northern slopes of the Alps as well as on the Mittelland to the north. The new precipitation, together with the already saturated soils, would lead to further, potentially sharp increases in runoff in small and medium-sized rivers.
Highlight on Saturday
The heavy rainfall on Saturday morning led to numerous floods, landslides and flooded cellars in eastern and parts of central Switzerland.
The Zurich fire departments had to be called out 200 times due to water in buildings or flooded streets. The Zurich Oberland, Zell and Turbenthal were particularly affected.
More than 150 damage reports were received in the canton of Thurgau. In most cases, the fire departments were called out due to flooded cellars, according to the police.
The emergency call center coordinated around 90 firefighting operations in the canton of St. Gallen. The northern part of the canton was particularly affected. A lot of water collected on the A14 highway between Baar and Zug.
©Keystone/SDA
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