Six houses in danger of collapsing after storm in Brienz
Published: Friday, Aug 16th 2024, 18:10
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Following the storm in Brienz on Monday evening, six houses are in danger of collapsing and another 30 or so are more or less badly damaged. Due to storm damage, the Brienz Rothorn Railway has to suspend operations for the rest of the season.
The historic steam cogwheel railroad runs from Brienz to the Rothorn from spring to fall. The storm on Monday caused major damage to the railroad infrastructure, as Chairman of the Board of Directors Peter Flück told the media on Friday.
Rainwater had collected in the track and rushed down like a torrent. Over a distance of a good two kilometers, the route and other facilities were washed under and over. According to Flück, the repair work is complex and will take time.
The Board of Directors has therefore decided to end the season for the cable car and the Berghaus early. The aim is for the lift to be back in operation next spring.
On Friday, Flück estimated the cost of the repairs at around five million francs. The railroad's liquidity is not at risk and the financing of the repairs is currently being worked out.
No trespassing
A few hundred meters from the Rothorn cable car station, the Mühlebach stream burst its banks on Monday and devastated the historic Brienz district of Aenderdorf. It is now clear that six of the devastated houses are in danger of collapsing and around thirty have been damaged, as the president of the municipal council, Peter Zumbrunn, told the media on Friday morning.
The houses in danger of collapse may not be entered under any circumstances. Those affected can get the bare necessities of life from the other buildings accompanied by the civil defense. The Bern buildings insurance company is expecting damage of up to CHF 30 million in Brienz.
On Friday, the debris piled up by the Mühlebach stream was worked on feverishly. Heavy equipment was used to clear the channel as best as possible, as there was a threat of new rainfall in the evening and at the weekend. Temporary dams piled up with rubble are intended to protect the houses along the stream from even greater destruction.
The cantonal road through Brienz will remain closed until at least Tuesday evening, according to the regional management body.
The Mühlebach stream in Brienz burst its banks during a storm on Monday evening. Around 70 people had to be evacuated.
High storm costs in Valais too
Around seven weeks ago, there were also storms in Valais. The Novelis aluminum factory in Sierre was badly affected. Work is now progressing so that operations can be resumed.
The company expects to be able to start rebuilding the facilities and preparing for the tests and commissioning of the hot rolling mill "from mid-August", according to a statement. The plant is to be put into operation in stages from September.
The storm disaster will cost the company around 70 million francs.
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